Introduction Rischitelli has become an important component of the Lions’ midfield and forward line in recent seasons. He isn’t afraid to put his body on the line for the team and is widely regarded as arguably the Lions’ most courageous player. He is a clearance specialist who revels in the tough stuff. Background • Michael Rischitelli began his junior football at Keilor, before heading to the Western Jets as a 15-year-old where he made an immediate name for himself. • The boy from Keilor in Victoria won two consecutive Best & Fairest awards with the Western Jets’ U15s and U16s sides in 2001 and 2002 respectively which caught the attention of potential recruiters. • However, he was hampered by osteitis pubis at the beginning of 2003 which kept him sidelined for the first 10 matches of the TAC Cup and kept him out of contention for the U18 national championships. • Once the injury had healed, Rischitelli returned and found himself among the team’s best players in a handful of matches. • While he still managed to play eight matches, Rischitelli didn’t have great hopes of being selected in the National Draft – so much so that he was asleep when his name was read out. • He was awoken on the morning of the 2003 National Draft by his father Ezio who spread the good news that the Lions had selected him with their final selection (Pick No.61 overall). 2004 • Rischitelli commenced his career with the Lions Reserves side where he quickly made a name for himself as a hard-tackling on-baller who wasn’t afraid of the tough stuff. • He laid an astonishing 35 effective tackles over two reserves matches which convinced the caching staff to bring in the teenager as a last minute replacement to the Lions’ Round 17 side for Shaun Hart who had suffered a debilitating migraine. • He showed enormous promise in his one senior outing for the season, kicking two goals in a rout of Adelaide at the Gabba. • His effort was even more impressive considering both majors stemmed from holding-the-ball decisions in his favour – a reflection of the youngster's willingness to chase and highly effective tackling technique. • He accepted his relegation back to the State League the following week without any qualms, pledging to keep working on his game. 2005 • Injuries prevented Rischitelli from capitalising on his full potential in his second AFL season. • After starting the year in the AFLQ, the 19-year-old was called-up for the Round 6 win over Essendon but injured a quad the following week at training – a setback that would cost him the best part of two months. • He forced his way back into the side against the Western Bulldogs and kicked two goals but was squeezed out of the side to face Hawthorn the following week. • His third game for the year arrived in Round 22 when St Kilda thrashed the Lions at Docklands. 2006 • By the end of another gruelling pre-season, Rischitelli had considerably bulked up from the skinny 17 year-old who arrived at the Club two years earlier to pursue his AFL dream. • He found a regular spot in the senior side from Round 1 and while his first month was solid – it wasn’t until he produced an inspired second half against West Coast in Round 5 that he gained momentum. • He collected a then career-high 27 disposals in the Round 7 win over Hawthorn and earned an AFL Rising Star nomination after a solid performance against Port Adelaide the following week. • Unfortunately his season ended in Round 18 when it became evident that a shoulder injury suffered three weeks earlier required surgery. • He averaged 16.7 disposals across his 18 matches, made the fifth most clearances of any Lions player and was fourth best in hard ball gets. • He capped off a breakthrough year by winning the Club’s Most Improved Player award and finishing top ten in the Best & Fairest voting. • By season’s end, the Keilor-raised youngster had attracted some massive financial lures from Melbourne-based clubs hoping he might return home, but he opted to remain with the Lions. 2007 • Rischitelli began the season in devastating form with back-to-back near best-on-ground performances against Hawthorn and St Kilda respectively in the opening two rounds. • He remained hard at the contest and laid ten tackles or more on three occasions throughout the season – including a career-high 11 tackles against Geelong in Round 12 at Skilled Stadium. • He became somewhat of a midfield barometer in that the Lions won 75% of their matches for 2007 when he collected 20 or more disposals. • He played in all 22 senior matches for the first time of his career and finished second at the Club in total tackles, third in clearances and second in hard ball gets. • He averaged 16.7 disposals for the season – identical to 2006 – and finished 12th in the Club Champion award. 2008 • Despite a relatively slow start to the season, Rischitelli hit his straps with 20 possessions and 10 tackles in his 50th AFL match against Melbourne at the Gabba in Round 6. • As the season progressed, it became obvious that Lions were relying too heavily on elite midfielders Simon Black and Luke Power in the ‘engine room’. Rischitelli helped eased their load and took a closer step towards the elite with a string of dominating performances in the centre. • He collected a career-high 30 disposals and had 10 clearances against North Melbourne at Gold Coast Stadium in Round 18 and followed it up the next week with 26 touches and 10 clearances against Hawthorn in Tasmania. • He played 21 of a possible 22 matches – missing just the one match against the Bulldogs in Round 12 through injury. • He was officially recognised as the Club’s Most Courageous Player at season’s end – a remarkable achievement considering Rischitelli earned the Most Courageous honour ahead of team-mate Jonathan Brown who had been voted by his peers a month earlier as the Most Courageous player in the entire competition. • He also secured the Most Effective Tackler award for his ability to physically pressure the opposition. He laid 92 tackles – the fourth most at the Club – but statistically achieved a greater success rate than any other Lions player with his attempted tackles. • His most productive AFL season was topped off with a career-best sixth placing in the Club Champion award.2009 • Rischitelli backed up an impressive 2008 by playing every match in 2009 - including two Finals - and kicking a career-best 13 goals for the season. • The Keilor product was given somewhat of a new role by new Senior Coach Michael Voss as a hard-tackling, mid-sized forward option. He was also used occasionally as a pinch-hitting midfielder. • He kicked a career-high three majors in the Lions' stirring comeback against Port Adelaide in Round 21 including a sensational running goal which put the Lions in front for the first time of the match late in the final quarter. • He averaged over 15 disposals per game and once again finished among the Club's leading tacklers and goal assists. • Rischitelli finished equal 11th in the Club Champion award - his fourth consecutive season in the top dozen at the Lions. • During the AFL Trade Week, Rischitelli rejected a potential move to Carlton - opting to remain in Brisbane with his team-mates who saw a bright future of success at the Club.
Michael Rischitelli will reach the 100-game milestone this Saturday night when he lines up against North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium.Thursday, June 03, 2010 - 10:06AM
The Lions midfielder-turned-forward doesn't mind where he plays, as long as team success followsWednesday, June 24, 2009 - 7:55AM
Midfielder Michael Rischitelli says the side is learning to cope better in the tight periods of matchesSunday, August 03, 2008 - 11:47AM
Lions midfielder Michael Rischitelli is hoping he and his team can replicate their late season form in 2008Thursday, December 20, 2007 - 12:55PM
Michael Rischitelli admits that the big screens at the ground are a must-see in a close gameThursday, August 23, 2007 - 9:52AM
Mac, Bunno and a few of the boys are off to the WWE Wrestling...Friday, July 11, 2008 - 11:00AM
Brisbane young gun Michael Rischitelli says the Lions can make the finals this year. Monday, April 30, 2007 - 3:58PM
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