Maurice Rioli Jnr and Joel Jeffrey are the Territory’s newest AFL recruits following last night’s NAB AFL Draft.
Rioli was chosen at pick 51 by Richmond as a father-son selection following Essendon’s attempted bid to nab the small and speedy forward. Maurice Jrn is the son of the late great Maurice Rioli Snr who played 118 games for Richmond, won the prized Norm Smith Medal in the 1982 AFL Grand Final and was a three-time All Australian winner. Maurice Jnr will be joining three-time Premiership player and nephew Daniel Rioli at the high-performing club.
Joel Jeffrey, son of the great Russell Jeffrey signed with the Gold Coast SUNS, adding to the club’s primary list and as the second Darwin-based played to join the club through the Academy program. Jeffrey is a classy footballer who plays on instinct and takes on his opponents by using his dangerous sidestep and damaging footwork.
“We are thrilled that Joel has found his home at the SUNS which shows NT Thunder’s partnership with the club is doing its job of creating successful pathways from club footy in the Territory to playing in the big league at an elite level,” NT Thunder Academy Coach Jason Roe said.
“Maurice Jnr is also an exciting get for Richmond with his proven speed, agility and appetite for hard work,” Roe said.
“Maurice loves to prey on his opponents and pounce when they least expect it and we are confident he will do the family name and the Territory proud.”
AFLNT has a strong focus on strengthening its stepping stones to elite footy from the ground up to help get more local stars listed with AFL clubs. The NT Thunder Academy is an important asset in making our state’s partnership with the SUNS a powerhouse channel for finding, growing and celebrating the next generation of Territory AFL legends.