Probably doesn’t qualify as a short career but the footy world didn’t see anywhere near enough of Dean Rioli. Such a shame.
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Number 1 was the first number on my back… Loved Fields.
I’m sure Blethyn loved seeing him break out of the centre. He would have known he was about to be hit on the chest.
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had Paul Salmon not done his ACL at Victoria Park in the ruck he would have been an even greater superstar
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yes- Dean Rioli- one of the most gifted players I have ever seen
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So unfortunate to have missed the 2000 flag but having just looked at Wikipedia, he played in a senior flag in the WAFL three years earlier. Much better than nothing.
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He played superbly in 2000 until he broke his collarbone late in the season. I saw it happen. He was given a free kick but the umpire didn’t realise he’d been badly hurt and called him to play on. An injustice that he missed playing in that finals series.
He played in the GF in 2001 and played his heart out. Unfortunately to no avail.
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A few years back at Etihad, I was a guest of a former opposition premiership player.
We were playing the Saints. Rioli was putting on a clinic.
My host commented on how highly regarded Rioli was by other clubs.
He also said that if Rioli gave you a hip and shoulder, you’d feel it for a week…
The dirtiest of the lot was Steve Beaumont from Tassie.
When we merged with Glenhuntly CC, we heard he’d played there a couple of years before and his behaviour on the training track was unsurprising. Trying to hurt teammates, bowling bouncers coming off the ladies’ tee.
Watching the 2009 ANZAC day game before, Leroy Betts. Short career that went for too long
Cupido. Could have been anything. Truckloads of talent, bucket loads of skills, nano grams of application.
Apparently could have played cricket for Australia as well. Super talented alround sports man who just didn’t care.
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Maybe having the drive and application required to be a league footballer is a talent in itself?
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I think it definitely is
Still miss Kommer…
He isn’t an Essendon player (Not sure if that is allowed).
I always enjoyed watching Sean Rusling from Collingwood. I was young and remember they would compare him to Wayne Carey sometimes.
He had ‘Menzel type’ injury problems, and I think he was like 22 when he retired.
Even then, I still wanted us to try and get him. At that age I thought it didn’t matter how many times you got injured, your body would always return good as new.
Did he kick 8 against us in a pre season final on Darcy Daniher?
Rama is the one for me.
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considering the sh*t hand that Rama was dealt, i thought he had a great career.
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Ian Marsh.
Him, Neale Daniher, and Buhagiar would’ve made 84/85 perfect for me.
I also had high hopes for the specimen that was Andrew Underwood who came to us in the batch of interstate recruits that included Anderson, Sporn, Antrobus and Bewick. He was big and robust but obviously also a bit ■■■■.
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That he did! But it was cut shorter than it should have been
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