Richmond small forward Daniel Rioli hasn’t quite made the leap after a hot start to his AFL career.
The 23-year-old has been a regular in the Tigers side since his debut season in 2016, but has found himself on the outer in 2021.
Rioli has only played the three games this season, one as the sub.
Justin Leppitsch worked closely with the small forward early in his career and believes he needs to find his defensive “spark”.
“I coached him first-hand in 2017 and 2018 and he actually hurt himself in the Grand Final in 2017, but he had a fantastic season that year and built his game off the back of pressure and intent,” Leppitsch told SEN’s Whateley.
“He took a while to get back from that foot injury, but it has been a disappointing year. He’s been the sub, he’s been dropped again.
“It is a bit of a concern that Daniel hasn’t got that defensive spark back because he’s a fantastic player and a fantastic kid.
“Jack Higgins and Dan Butler have left the building so you’re sort of saying Daniel Rioli is in front of those two, so they’ve backed him in from a list positioning and where they’ve rated him ahead of those guys.
“Internally they love him, but it’s just about him getting back to his defensive best I think.”
Rioli starred for the Tigers in the VFL last weekend, picking up 17 disposals and laying six tackles.