Dean Rioli (born 20 May 1978) is an indigenous former Australian rules football player who spent his whole professional career with the Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League.
The nephew of Maurice Rioli, the Richmond Football Club champion of the 1980s, Rioli grew up on the Tiwi Islands in the Northern Territory, but was recruited from the South Fremantle Football Club in the 1997 AFL Draft.
He is renowned for his goal sense, s...
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Dean Rioli (born 20 May 1978) is an indigenous former Australian rules football player who spent his whole professional career with the Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League.
The nephew of Maurice Rioli, the Richmond Football Club champion of the 1980s, Rioli grew up on the Tiwi Islands in the Northern Territory, but was recruited from the South Fremantle Football Club in the 1997 AFL Draft.
He is renowned for his goal sense, silky skills and his ability to play well even when overweight and unfit. Rioli had ongoing injury problems (particularly knee-related) for many years, severely limiting his games played and the level of fitness he was able to attain.
During his final season in 2006, Rioli battled injury problems and only played four games.
Dean Rioli played his last game for the Essendon Football Club on 26 August 2006. It was also his 100th AFL game.
Following his retirement, Rioli returned to the Northern Territory to play in the Northern Territory Football...
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