Age: 24
From: Western Jets/Brisbane Lions
Games: 111

Michael Rischitelli joins Gold Coast SUNS after a 111-game career with the Brisbane Lions.

He is GC SUNS’ third uncontracted player signing. Rischitelli hails from Melbourne where he was a standout junior player at club level for Keilor and starred with the Western Jets TAC Cup Under 18’s side.

Taken by the Lions at Pick 61 in the 2003 National Draft, he made his AFL debut in Round 17, 2004, a game in which he contributed two goals in his side’s massive 141-point drubbing of the Adelaide Crows. After playing just three games for the Lions in 2005, Rischitelli eventually broke through for a regular senior place in 2006, a season that saw him play 18 games, earn a NAB Rising Star Nomination and win the club’s 2006 Most Improved Player Award.

Thereafter he became an integral part of the Lions’ midfield, his renowned toughness and A-grade work rate highlighted when he won the Lions’ Most Courageous Player and Most Effective Tackler Awards in 2008.

In 2010 he averaged 24.1 disposals and 4.5 tackles per game and arrives at his new footballing home in arguably career best form.