Michael Rischitelli
Encyclopedia
Michael Rischitelli is an Australian rules football
er, a former Brisbane Lion
player, currently contracted with the Gold Coast Football Club in the Australian Football League
.
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, 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, 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. His impressive season was further accoladed at the Lions' 2006 award night, at which he was awarded the Most Improved Player award.
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 ultimatelt 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. 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.
(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, but was hindered by a bout of osteitis pubis
during his year playing in their under 18 side. He was the Lions' fifth and eventual final pick in the 2003 AFL Draft
, and was the number 61 draft pick overall.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er, a former Brisbane Lion
Brisbane Lions
The Brisbane Lions is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in Brisbane, Queensland. The club was formed from the merger of the Brisbane Bears and the Fitzroy Lions in 1996...
player, currently contracted with the Gold Coast Football Club in the Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
.
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 . 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
2005 AFL season
Results and statistics for the Australian Football League season of 2005.See List of Australian Football League premiers for a complete list.-National Cup:...
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
2004 AFL Grand Final
The 2004 AFL Grand Final was an Australian rules football game contested between the Port Adelaide Football Club and the Brisbane Lions, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne on 25 September 2004. It was the 108th annual Grand Final of the Victorian Football League/Australian Football...
. Mainly due to a quad injury, Rischitelli played only three games for the year, in which he made a minimal impression.
Rischitelli's 2006 season
2006 AFL season
Results and statistics for the Australian Football League season of 2006.-National Cup: 3.10.5 defeated 1.10.15 in the 2006 NAB Cup Final...
ended up being his breakthrough season, 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. His impressive season was further accoladed at the Lions' 2006 award night, at which he was awarded the Most Improved Player award.
Rischitelli had a solid 2009 season, but was shocked when he was offered up, along with Daniel Bradshaw
Daniel Bradshaw
Daniel Mark Bradshaw is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played for the Sydney Swans and the Brisbane Lions in the Australian Football League....
, as a possible trade option for controversial Carlton
Carlton Football Club
The Carlton Football Club is a professional Australian rules football club based in Melbourne, Victoria. The club competes in the Australian Football League, and was one of the eight founding members of that competition in 1897...
full-forward Brendan Fevola
Brendan Fevola
Brendan Fevola is a professional Australian rules footballer. He played with the Carlton and Brisbane Lions football clubs in the Australian Football League....
after the conclusion of the 2009 season. Although under intense public pressure to agree to be traded, Rischitelli ultimatelt 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
Lachlan Henderson
Lachlan Stuart Henderson is a current Australian rules football player for the Carlton Football Club.- Pre-AFL career :...
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. 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
Merrett-Murray Medal
The Merrett–Murray Medal has been awarded annually since 1997, to the player adjudged the Brisbane Lions Club Champion over the immediately preceding AFL season...
award, ahead of club stalwarts Simon Black
Simon Black
Simon Black is an Australian rules footballer playing for the Brisbane Lions in the Australian Football League.Black is a midfielder with a reputation for hard work and skill...
and Jonathan Brown.
Gold Coast Football Club (2011+)
On September 7, 2010, it was announced that Rischitelli was joining the AFL's 17th club, Gold Coast from 2011 onwards.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 CollegeVictoria University Secondary College
Victoria University Secondary College is a state government co-educational day school for years 7-12 located in the western suburb of St. Albans, Victoria in Australia...
(formally known as Brimbank College)
Rischitelli played for the Western Jets
Western Jets
The Western Jets Football Club are an Australian rules football club who play in the U18 competition, the TAC Cup. The club have developmental squads in the U15 and 16 age groups, however much of the attention is towards its U18 team....
before beginning his AFL career. He showed great promise and potential playing for the Western junior sides, but was hindered by a bout of osteitis pubis
Osteitis pubis
Since 1924, osteitis pubis has been known as a noninfectious inflammation of the pubis symphysis causing varying degrees of lower abdominal and pelvic pain. Osteitis pubis was first described in patients who had undergone suprapubic surgery and remains a well-known complication of invasive...
during his year playing in their under 18 side. He was the Lions' fifth and eventual final pick in the 2003 AFL Draft
2003 AFL Draft
The 2003 AFL Draft was the 2003 instance of the AFL Draft, the annual draft of talented players by Australian rules football teams that participate in the main competition of that sport, the Australian Football League...
, and was the number 61 draft pick overall.