| Michael Rischitelli | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Rischitelli playing for Gold Coast in May 2019 | |||
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Michael Rischitelli | ||
| Born | (1986-01-08)8 January 1986 (age 40) | ||
| Original team | 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 | 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 | |||
Michael Rischitelli (born 8 January 1986) is a formerAustralian rules footballer who played for theGold Coast Suns in theAustralian Football League (AFL). He previously played for theBrisbane Lions.
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 againstAdelaide. 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 wereGrand Finalists. Mainly due to a quad injury,[1] Rischitelli played only three games for the year, in which he made a minimal impression.
Rischitelli's2006 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 roundssix andseven his disposal count was in the twenties, earning him two Brownlow votes and aRising 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 withDaniel Bradshaw, as a possible trade option for controversialCarlton full-forwardBrendan 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 forLachlan 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 createdGold 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 firstbest and fairest award, ahead of club stalwartsSimon Black andJonathan Brown.[6]
On 7 September 2010, it was announced that Rischitelli was joining the AFL's 17th club, theGold Coast Suns from 2011 onwards.[7]
G | Goals | K | Kicks | D | Disposals | T | Tackles |
B | Behinds | H | Handballs | M | Marks |
| 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 | 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 | ||
Michael Rischitelli was born and grew up in the Western Suburbs ofMelbourne, Victoria. Before being drafted into the AFL, Rischitelli completed his schooling atVictoria University Secondary College(formally known as Brimbank College) Rischitelli played for theWestern 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 ofosteitis pubis during his year playing in their under-18 side.[1] He was the Lions' fifth and eventual final pick in the2003 AFL draft, and was the number 61 draft pick overall.
