FORMER Keilor and Western Jets youngster Michael Rischitelli has repaid the faith placed in him by the Brisbane Lions by earning a nomination for the AFL Rising Star competition last week.
The 20-year-old continued his incredibly consistent season for the Lions by gathering 16 possessions in the side’s 69-point victory over Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium in round eight.
Rischitelli has played all eight games for Brisbane this year in defence and the midfield, averaging almost 17 touches so far.
His best performances have come against Sydney and Hawthorn in rounds six and seven, where he collected 21 and 27 possessions respectively.
During his nomination round against the Power, Rischitelli had a season-high nine marks, and his six tackles were the most by any player in the Lions’ line-up.
After a stellar junior career with Keilor in the Essendon District Football League, Rischitelli was scouted by the Western Jets and enjoyed a strong 2003 season in the TAC Cup.
At 17, he was snapped up by Brisbane in the national draft at pick 61 before kicking two goals in a stunning debut in round 17 of 2004.
He managed three games in 2005 before a full preseason and impressive NAB Cup form prompted an immediate call into the senior team.
Rischitelli is in with a chance to become the latest Rising Star of the competition, an honour awarded to past young guns including Nathan Buckley, Ben Cousins and Nick Riewoldt.
