The 24 year-old will line up for his 100th AFL match with the Lions which will earn him the prestigious honour of having his name etched into the number 35 locker at the Gabba.
In fact, Rischitelli will become the first player in the Club’s history (Fitzroy and the Bears included) to play 100 matches in the number 35 guernsey and in turn will become the first person ever to appear on that particular locker.
“It’s something you always dream of as a kid but I was just happy with the opportunity to get drafted to the Lions,” Rischitelli said.
“It’s a good feeling and hopefully we can go down to Melbourne at get the four points.”
Rischitelli was recruited to the Lions from Keilor in Victoria with Pick No.61 in the 2003 AFL National Draft.
After managing just four matches in his first two seasons with the Lions, Rischitelli has since played 95 of the past 100 senior matches with the Club and has finished in the Club Champion top ten twice (2006, 2008).
“I started when the Club was having some success which made it pretty hard to break into the side,” he said.
“But I was fortunate to play with the likes of Alastair Lynch and the Scott brothers. When I was starting out, I learnt a lot from those guys. And to still be playing alongside guys such as Simon Black, Luke Power and Jonathan Brown is fantastic.”
He earned an AFL Rising Star nomination in 2006 and has received numerous Club honours including Most Improved Player (2006), Most Courageous Player (2008) and Most Effective Tackler (2008).
But 2010 is shaping as one of his finest seasons yet.
He is currently ranked first in kicks, handball, inside 50s and total disposals at the Club and is ranked second only to skipper Jonathan Brown in marks.
