Sydney and Essendon are both in good form and are coming off Round 10 victories. The Bombers are aiming for two straight wins after defeating West Coast at home last Sunday. “It was a special win last week. We had a lot of young kids playing and they played well and really stood up. It is very encouraging to have them to fall back on later in the year,” Rioli said.
Rioli has been enjoying spending time in the mid-field this season and was the catalyst to the Bombers’ seven goal first quarter against the Eagles. He notched up nine disposals in the opening term. “It is good to spend a lot of time in the centre. With the possibility of Joe Misiti and Damien Peverill both returning this week I might rotate into the forwardline,” Rioli said.
Essendon and Sydney play off for the Marn Grook trophy annually and the game is in recognition of the contribution indigenous people have made to AFL. “Where I come from football is number one in the territory and in Western Australia. I have looked up to Michael Long for as long as I can remember. It is great to be involved in the game and play at Essendon.” Marn Grook is the name given to a corroboree played by the Djab wurrung and Jardwadjali clans in Victoria’s western district, which was the inspiration for Australian rules football. Marn Grook is also an Aboriginal term for “Game Ball”.
