THE Tiwi Island community is in mourning following the passing of former football great, Maurice Rioli, today.
One of Aboriginal football’s most recognisable figures, Rioli (pictured) passed away following a suspected heart attack at a Christmas Day gathering with family.
He was 53.
Rioli, from Melville Island, 80km north of Darwin in the Northern Territory, is regarded as one of the most outstanding footballers to emerge from the islands.
He made an immediate impact at VFL level when he crossed from South Fremantle to Richmond. In his prime he was renowned for his smooth skills, cat-like reflexes and near-flawless ball-handling ability.
Rioli was one of several Indigenous footballers recruited by the Fremantle club from the Top End in the mid-1970s, helping to pave the way for Aboriginal people in Australian football.
Rioli played in five grand finals for the Bulldogs and won back-to-back Simpson Medals in 1980-81, adding another playing State of Origin for Western Australia against Victoria in 1983.
He has the unique distinction of being judged best-on-ground in consecutive defeated grand final teams; first with Souths in 1981 and with Richmond the following year in the Tigers' loss to Carlton, becoming the first player in the VFL to achieve the feat.
At Richmond, Rioli won the club's fairest-and-best award in his first season in 1982 and again the following year.
In 2005, he was named in the Australian Football Indigenous Team of the Century (1904-2004), commanding a spot in the centre.
In 2000, Rioli was also named in the centre in the Northern Territory Football League Team of the Century (1901-2000).
He is uncle to current Hawthorn star, Cyril Rioli, and former Essendon 100-gamer, Dean Rioli.
R.I.P. Maurice Rioli.
DARREN MONCRIEFF
AboriginalFootball@westnet.com.au
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Last Modified on 25/12/2010 20:25