Michael Rischitelli

Michael Rischitelli
Michael Rischitelli
	Rischitelli playing for Gold Coast in May 2019
Personal information
Full name	Michael Rischitelli
Date of birth	8 January 1986 (age 38)
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
2004–2010	Brisbane Lions
2011–2019	Gold Coast
Total
	1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2019.
Career highlights
	Inaugural Gold Coast team; Merrett–Murray Medal 2010; Peter Badcoe VC Medal 2011 round 5; Gold Coast Acting Captain 2012-2016; 2006 Rising Star Nominee;
	Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

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

AFL career

Brisbane Lions (2004–2010)

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, where 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. Rischitelli was offered up to trade and has been suggested as a possible reason 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, 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 Suns (2011–2019)

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

Statistics

Statistics are correct to the end of round 9, 2016^[8]

**Legend**
G	Goals	K	Kicks	D	Disposals	T	Tackles
B	Behinds	H	Handballs	M	Marks


Season	Team	No.	Games	Totals							Averages (per game)
Season	Team	No.	Games	G	B	K	H	D	M	T	G	B	K	H	D	M	T
2004	Brisbane Lions	35	1	2	0	6	2	8	4	4	2.0	0.0	6.0	2.0	8.0	4.0	4.0
2005	Brisbane Lions	35	3	2	0	11	2	13	3	7	0.7	0.0	3.7	0.7	4.3	1.0	2.3
2006	Brisbane Lions	35	18	8	4	161	130	291	71	67	0.4	0.2	8.9	7.2	16.2	3.9	3.7
2007	Brisbane Lions	35	22	6	10	158	209	367	86	99	0.3	0.5	7.2	9.5	16.7	3.9	4.5
2008	Brisbane Lions	35	21	9	10	218	148	366	92	92	0.4	0.5	10.4	7.0	17.4	4.4	4.4
2009	Brisbane Lions	35	24	13	9	187	182	369	88	116	0.5	0.4	7.8	7.6	15.4	3.7	4.8
2010	Brisbane Lions	35	22	7	6	278	252	530	126	97	0.3	0.3	12.6	11.5	24.1	5.7	4.4
2011	Gold Coast	35	21	10	9	241	256	497	97	114	0.5	0.4	11.5	12.2	23.7	4.6	5.4
2012	Gold Coast	35	14	6	4	89	114	203	38	59	0.4	0.3	6.4	8.1	14.5	2.7	4.2
2013	Gold Coast	35	11	6	6	91	94	185	32	43	0.5	0.5	8.3	8.5	16.8	2.9	3.9
2014	Gold Coast	35	21	8	10	201	192	393	70	74	0.4	0.5	9.6	9.1	18.7	3.3	3.5
2015	Gold Coast	35	21	8	13	282	189	471	81	127	0.4	0.6	13.4	9.0	22.4	3.9	6.0
2016	Gold Coast	35	6	2	0	41	75	116	16	28	0.3	0.0	6.8	12.5	19.3	2.7	4.7
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

^ ^a ^b Michael Rischitelli Player Profile bio lions.com.au. Retrieved 2009-09-23.
^ "Not yet 'Fab'". AFL Record (Round 8, 2009): 22. 15–17 May 2009.
^ Lion snares nomination AFL.com.au. Retrieved 2009-09-23.
^ Club Champions lions.com.au. Retrieved 2009-09-23.
^ Davis, Greg (10 September 2010). "Michael Rischitelli wins best-and-fairest". Herald Sun. Retrieved 10 September 2010.
^ Australian Associated Press (10 September 2010). "Rischitelli the Lions' best in 2010". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 10 September 2010.
^ [1] foxsports.com.au. Retrieved 2010-09-07.
^ "Tom Lynch". AFL Tables. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
^ Burgo’s take: Beatson’s babes^{[permanent dead link‍]} carltonfc.com.au. Retrieved 2009-09-23.