Daniel Rioli: Gold Coast Suns recruit set for disrupted summer after suffering knee injury at training

Prized Gold Coast recruit Daniel Rioli has had a forgettable start to life at his new club, suffering a knee injury at one of his first training sessions.

The Suns revealed Rioli had gone down with a medial collateral ligament injury in his left knee during Wednesday’s session.

It’s left the club mulling over surgery for the 27-year-old, who was one of the highest-profile players to switch clubs during the trade period after making the move from Richmond.

“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 setback means Rioli will go through a disrupted summer on his way towards his opening appearances in Gold Coast colours.

The Suns host Essendon on March 8 as part of the AFL’s Opening Round, before travelling to WA to take on West Coast in the Eagles’ season opener at Optus Stadium the following week.

Rioli is coming off a superb season at his former club, winning the Jack Dyer Medal as Richmond’s best-and-fairest.

The three-time premiership Tiger was traded to the Suns along with picks 51, 61, 70 and 76, with Richmond receiving picks six and 23 in return.