Michael Rischitelli

Michael Rischitelli (born 8 January 1986) is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the Gold Coast Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). He previously played for the Brisbane Lions.

Michael Rischitelli
Rischitelli playing for Gold Coast in May 2019
Personal information
Full name Michael Rischitelli
Date of birth (1986-01-08) 8 January 1986
Original team(s) Western Jets (TAC Cup)
Draft No. 61, 2003 National Draft, Brisbane Lions
Uncontracted recruit, Gold Coast
Height 184 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Weight 81 kg (179 lb)
Position(s) Midfielder
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
2004–2010 Brisbane Lions 111 (47)
2011–2019 Gold Coast 132 (44)
Total 243 (91)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2019.
Career highlights
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

AFL career

Brisbane Lions (2004–2010)
Michael Rischitelli at a Brisbane Lions public training session in 2008.

Rischitelli's first game in the AFL turned out to be a dream debut for the then-teenager, playing as a late inclusion in the Lions' Round 17, 2004 side against Adelaide. The Lions kicked an incredible 21 goals in the second half, and went on to win by a whopping 141 points making it Brisbane's biggest win in their history. Rischitelli kicked two goals. It was his only game for the season.

2005 wasn't much of an improvement for Rischitelli, and definitely wasn't for his team either. The Lions finished eleventh on the ladder, a poorer season than 2004, in which they were Grand Finalists. Mainly due to a quad injury,[1] Rischitelli played only three games for the year, in which he made a minimal impression.

Rischitelli's 2006 season ended up being his breakthrough season,[2] finding a regular spot in Brisbane's side and playing in the first eighteen matches of the season. He started to find a lot more of the ball than in previous years, and in rounds six and seven his disposal count was in the twenties, earning him two Brownlow votes and a Rising Star nomination.[3] His impressive season was further accoladed at the Lions' 2006 award night, at which he was awarded the Most Improved Player award.[4]

Rischitelli had a solid 2009 season, but was shocked when he was offered up, along with Daniel Bradshaw, as a possible trade option for controversial Carlton full-forward Brendan Fevola after the conclusion of the 2009 season. Although under intense public pressure to agree to be traded, Rischitelli ultimately decided that he wished to stay with Brisbane, meaning that particular trade option fell through and the Lions instead got Fevola in a trade for Lachlan Henderson and a draft pick. That Rischitelli was offered up to trade has been suggested as a possible reason as to why he left to play with the Gold Coast a season later.

Rischitelli's had his best season to date in 2010, becoming the most consistent player in the Lions injury-riddled midfield and playing every match and leading the club in kicks, handballs, marks, clearances and contested possessions.[5] Due to his outstanding season he was pursued by the newly created Gold Coast Football Club and announced that he had signed with the Suns at the conclusion of Brisbane's disappointing season, where the club finished 13th. Shortly after his decision to leave Brisbane, Rischitelli won his first Best and Fairest award, ahead of club stalwarts Simon Black and Jonathan Brown.[6]

Gold Coast Football Club (2011–2019)

On 7 September 2010, it was announced that Rischitelli was joining the AFL's 17th club, Gold Coast from 2011 onwards.[7]

Statistics
Statistics are correct to the end of round 9, 2016[8]
Legend
 G  Goals  B  Behinds  K  Kicks  H  Handballs  D  Disposals  M  Marks  T  Tackles
Season Team No. Games Totals Averages (per game)
G B K H D M T G B K H D M T
2004 Brisbane Lions 35120628442.00.06.02.08.04.04.0
2005 Brisbane Lions 3532011213370.70.03.70.74.31.02.3
2006 Brisbane Lions 35188416113029171670.40.28.97.216.23.93.7
2007 Brisbane Lions 352261015820936786990.30.57.29.516.73.94.5
2008 Brisbane Lions 352191021814836692920.40.510.47.017.44.44.4
2009 Brisbane Lions 3524139187182369881160.50.47.87.615.43.74.8
2010 Brisbane Lions 352276278252530126970.30.312.611.524.15.74.4
2011 Gold Coast 3521109241256497971140.50.411.512.223.74.65.4
2012 Gold Coast 3514648911420338590.40.36.48.114.52.74.2
2013 Gold Coast 351166919418532430.50.58.38.516.82.93.9
2014 Gold Coast 352181020119239370740.40.59.69.118.73.33.5
2015 Gold Coast 3521813282189471811270.40.613.49.022.43.96.0
2016 Gold Coast 35620417511616280.30.06.812.519.32.74.7
Career 205 87 81 1964 1845 3809 804 927 0.4 0.4 9.6 9.0 18.6 3.9 4.5

Personal life

Michael Rischitelli was born and grew up in the Western Suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria. Before being drafted into the AFL, Rischitelli completed his schooling at Victoria University Secondary College (formally known as Brimbank College) Rischitelli played for the Western Jets before beginning his AFL career. He showed great promise and potential playing for the Western junior sides,[9] but was hindered by a bout of osteitis pubis during his year playing in their under 18 side.[1] He was the Lions' fifth and eventual final pick in the 2003 AFL Draft, and was the number 61 draft pick overall.

References
  1. Michael Rischitelli Player Profile bio lions.com.au. Retrieved 2009-09-23.
  2. "Not yet 'Fab'". AFL Record (Round 8, 2009): 22. 15–17 May 2009.
  3. Lion snares nomination AFL.com.au. Retrieved 2009-09-23.
  4. Club Champions lions.com.au. Retrieved 2009-09-23.
  5. Davis, Greg (10 September 2010). "Michael Rischitelli wins best-and-fairest". Herald Sun. Retrieved 10 September 2010.
  6. Australian Associated Press (10 September 2010). "Rischitelli the Lions' best in 2010". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 10 September 2010.
  7. foxsports.com.au. Retrieved 2010-09-07.
  8. "Tom Lynch". AFL Tables. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
  9. Burgo’s take: Beatson’s babes carltonfc.com.au. Retrieved 2009-09-23.
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