Respected football analyst David King rates exciting, young Richmond small forward Daniel Rioli as “the best pressure player in the competition”.
King, a dual premiership player with North Melbourne, believes Rioli has been the catalyst for the elite level of pressure that’s been so successfully applied by the Tigers in their forward half throughout the 2017 season.
“This team relies on turnovers in their offensive half of the ground. It’s been fantastic . . . it’s been a masterstroke in terms of coaching. But Daniel Rioli, he sets the way,” King said on ‘Fox Footy’.
“Multiple efforts, that’s what it’s all about and he drags (Dan) Butler with him. (Jason) Castagna sees the standard. (Trent) Cotchin and (Dustin) Martin, when they rest forward, know they’ve got to put pressure on because this team relies on time in forward half.
“You can never rest against Daniel Rioli.
“Most players defend a perimeter 10-15 metres around them. But this guy, he goes 15, 20, 25 metres.
“When he takes off, when he chases, when he puts you in the sights, you are gone. He will not be denied . . .
“He’s unbelievable.”