Daniel Rioli can’t wait to celebrate with his cousin Willie after dedicating Richmond’s AFL flag triumph to the banned West Coast player.
The Tigers’ forward delivered an early highlight of Saturday’s blowout grand-final win over GWS with his snapped goal on the quarter-time siren.
As the pro-Richmond MCG crowd roared, Rioli raised four fingers on either hand – 44 – as a gesture to Willie.
The Eagles’ forward is provisionally suspended on two anti-doping charges and faces up to a four-year ban.
“I love and miss him so much,” Daniel Rioli said.
“I’m sure he’d be watching right now. I dedicated the game to him and I’m lucky enough to get the win.
“It means so much. Obviously, the tough times of what he’s been through right now … it’s devastating and I feel for him.”
Willie Rioli flew home to the Tiwi Islands shortly after his ban was announced and Daniel hoped to soon join him and the rest of the Rioli clan.
“I just can’t wait to get back up there and celebrate this victory with him,” he said.
“Seven (premierships) between the Riolis now – it’s pretty special.”
Having also played in Richmond’s 2017 grand-final triumph, Rioli is a two-time premiership player in just his fourth season.
“It gets better and better every year,” the 22-year-old said.
“Hopefully, there’s many more to come. It’s pretty satisfying – you want to keep going.
“Just thinking I’m a two-time premiership player now. It’s pretty special.”