Gold Coast’s prized recruit Rioli suffers knee injury

Steve Larkin |

Gold Coast’s Daniel Rioli, pictured in action with his ex-club Richmond, has suffered a knee injury.
Gold Coast’s Daniel Rioli, pictured in action with his ex-club Richmond, has suffered a knee injury.

Gold Coast’s prized recruit Daniel Rioli has suffered a knee injury at one of his first training sessions with his new AFL club.

Rioli injured the medial collateral ligament in his left knee at training on Wednesday.

“The club will assess whether Rioli requires surgery over the next week,” the Suns said in a statement on Thursday.

“However he is expected to be running post-Christmas and be available for pre-season matches before opening round.”

The three-time Richmond premiership player joined the Suns and former Tiger coach Damien Hardwick in the October trade period.

The 27-year-old signed a five-year contract with the Suns, giving Richmond picks six and 23 at the recent national draft, receiving four late picks – 51, 61, 70 and 76 – in return from the Tigers.

Rioli, who won Richmond’s club champion award this season, has played 183 games, including three premierships from his 13 finals.

AAP