Rigs to hit the double century both in the WAFL and for the Black and Whites

With only a couple of games remaining in the 2020 Optus WAFL Premiership regular season, Swans co-captain, Matt Riggio, appears set to hit double century milestones for the next two weeks in a row.

This week at home, ‘Rigs’ as he is more affectionately known, will notch up his 200^th WAFL game against Perth, followed by his 200^th game for the Swan Districts a week later.

A country boy from Waroona, Rigs made his WAFL debut with Peel Thunder, playing just one game before being selected by the Kangaroos with pick 28 overall in the 2005 AFL draft.

After four seasons with North Melbourne, Matt returned home to WA and joined Swan Districts, after taking the advice from an AFL Hall of Famer.

‘I actually knew David Parkin when I was in the AFL and talked to him a few times about my game’, he said.

‘I told him that I’d be approached by several clubs and asked him who he thought was a good club in the WAFL.

‘He said that Swans Districts have a massive history here in WA, are a good club to be around and have good people working there.

‘So that’s why I came here, and I’m glad I did.’

The only remaining Swan from the 2010 Premiership side, Matt has crafted his trade through the midfield and across half back.

He has an impressive list of achievements so far in his time with the black and whites, including;

• Back to back Swan Medallist 2015 & 2016,
• Runner Up Swan Medallist 2014
• Life Membership 2017,
• 2x time WA State Representation 2016 & 2017,
• Swan Districts League Co-captain,
• A Premiership medal 2010, and
• Assistant coach to this seasons WAFLW side.

‘To win the club Best & Fairest in 2015, then win it the next year is something I will always hold dear in my heart’, Matt recalls.

‘It’s something that I am very proud of and am in good company with, especially with the guys that have won it twice’.

‘Becoming a Life Member, when it first happened I wondered to myself if I deserved it, because of the list of Swans legends that are in it. I now know that I do and I’m really proud of that recognition.’

In an unprecedented season where for a long time it was questioned if it would even begin, the eight fixtured games were enough for Matt to reach these two significant feats.

Upon reaching this milestone, he will be only the 20^th player in Swans history to have played that many games for the club.

‘That’s going to be awesome’ Matt says.

‘Again, with the names that have hit that mark, and to have a little pin on the locker, I’ll be really honoured to play 200 with the club’.

‘The two players who have already reached that milestone that stand out for me are Tallan Ames and Tony Notte, as they are two of the guys I’ve played with in my time here as well’.

‘I see guys like Bill Walker walking around the club, and to see such legends just rolling around here, it’s what I aspire to later in life.’

Make sure you are there to support Riggs when he runs out for his 200^th WAFL game at Steel Blue Oval this Saturday from 3:05pm, and again for his milestone game for the club against East Fremantle next week.