Daniel Rioli has made a flying start to the new season, polling maximum votes in the 2023 AFL Coaches’ Association’s Player of the Year award voting for the blockbuster Round 1 match against Carlton at the MCG.
The triple premiership Tiger was given 10 out of 10 by respective coaches Damien Hardwick (Richmond) and Michael Voss (Carlton) for a superb performance in his rebounding half-back role.
Rioli finished the match with 27 disposals, seven marks, five rebound-50s, five inside-50s, seven intercepts, five score involvements, four tackles and a game-high 681 metres gained.
Star Richmond midfielder Dion Prestia – 23 disposals, a team-high 13 contested possessions, four marks, five clearances, five intercepts and 316 metres gained – picked up four votes, as did the team’s co-captain Toby Nankervis – 14 disposals, 11 contested possessions, five clearances, 37 hit-outs and a game-high 11 tackles.
Top Richmond midfield recruit Tim Taranto, who had a game-high 32 disposals, team-high 12 contested possessions, five clearances, team-high three centre clearances, four inside-50s, four score involvements, eight tackles and 542 metres gained, received three votes in his debut appearance for the Tigers.
The full voting details for the Round 1 Richmond v Carlton match are:
10 – Daniel Rioli (Richmond)
6 – Lewis Young (Carlton)
4 – Dion Prestia (Richmond)
4 – Toby Nankervis (Richmond)
3 – Tim Taranto (Richmond)
3 – George Hewett (Carlton)
