Rioli, Lions roaring in pre-season

Nick Armistead – @NickArmistead

Three weeks into his senior coaching role with Therry Penola and Dean Rioli has already experienced the strong community atmosphere associated with VAFA clubs.

The former Wanderers coach was announced as the new leader of the Lions earlier this month and said each time he met with the club prior to signing the dotted line, the more attracted he was to the environment.

“I spent five years in Darwin coaching up there and it (the VAFA) has a very similar feel to how the Northern Territory footy is run” Rioli told VAFA Media.

“It’s an even playing field in that nobody gets paid and I was really attracted to that.

“I enjoy the community environment and the networks that are involved. It’s more than a football club, it’s an entire association.”

Rioli has wasted no time establishing a finals-worthy squad for the Division 1 Lions, with Jarrod Bannister returning to John Pascoe Fawkner Reserve after a stint in the Goulburn Valley Football League with Benalla this year.

Bannister kicked 54 goals from his 12 games with the Saints after bagging 322 for the Lions between 2013-2016.

He will join his brothers, Jordan and Corey, in what is shaping as the most talent-riddled forward 50 in Division 1.

“To have both Jordan and Jarrod re-joining the club is absolutely fantastic,” Rioli said.

“Our forward line will have the three Bannister brothers all functioning together up there so it will be an exciting time for the club.”

The Lions have also signed former Port Melbourne and Coburg midfielder, Jonathan Mullins.

Rioli, who has known Mullins for more than a decade, praised his leadership and the standards he sets.

“He’ll add versatility for us but most of all he’ll bring great leadership and set high standards within the playing group,” Rioli said.

“He’s a midfielder who can go forward and he’s very dangerous around goals, but he’s also a very good sweeper around the packs as well.”

The Lions will play their first game under Rioli when the 2018 VAFA season commences on April 7 and fixtures are yet to be released.