Maurice Rioli Jnr to wear father's famous number 17

Jackson Clark Published December 3, 2024 at 2.00pm (AWST)

sport

Richmond small forward Maurice Rioli Jnr will wear his father's famous number 17 as of next season. (Image: Getty Images)

Richmond small forward Maurice Rioli Jnr will switch to his legendary father's famous number 17 jumper from next season.

The 22-year-old's father – Maurice Snr – wore the number 17 across his first four seasons at the Tigers during the 1980s.

During that time, he won Richmond's best-and-fairest twice and the 1982 Norm Smith Medal for a brilliant performance in the Tigers' grand final loss to Carlton.

The number has also been worn by Daniel Rioli – Maurice Jnr's nephew – across a 183-game career at Richmond before he departed the club for the Gold Coast at the end of last season.

Daniel's tenure at Punt Road included playing in three premierships and winning the Jack Dyer Medal in 2024.

Rioli Jnr told Richmond Media that he was honoured to continue the family legacy.

"It means a lot – it's very special to me and my family and I'm very excited, I can't wait to put it on," he said.

"Wearing the No. 17 in pretty much every junior league growing up, I really loved the number because of dad.

Maurice Rioli Jnr will wear number 17 in season 2025. (Image: AFL)

"My nephew Daniel wore it, and my dad of course, so it's been in the family for a while now and it's pretty special for all of us."

The Tiwi man previously wore the number 49 when he joined the club in 2020 before moving to the number 10 jumper in 2023.

Now entering his fifth season at the club, Rioli Jnr has played 36 AFL games and kicked 26 goals.

"I reckon (dad would) be pretty proud and very excited, watching me from up there wearing the number 17," he said.

"A few Richmond greats have worn the number 17, (I'm) pretty honoured (so) hopefully I do the number proud."

Rioli Jnr had a promising start to the 2024 season before suffering a serious ankle injury against the Western Bulldogs in Round 10.

He returned later in the year, playing three VFL games before breaking back into the senior team for the clash against Gold Coast in the last round.

In August, Rioli Jnr signed a two-year contract extension which will see him tied to the club until at least the end of the 2026 season.

"The club's done a lot for me and my family, they've been there since I went to boarding school down here, so I really appreciate everything they've done for me," he said.

"They have a special place in my heart, the Richmond Football Club."