[7][8] In 2015 he played nine matches for the North Ballarat Rebels in the TAC Cup, including a four-goal performance in the club's qualifying final against the Geelong Falcons.

[15] Rioli won nomination for the 2016 AFL Rising Star award after a 16 disposal, four tackle and two goal performance in the club's round 22 loss to St Kilda.

[17][18] Rioli, along with forward-line companions Jason Castagna and Dan Butler, played a key role in Richmond's five game unbeaten start to the 2017 season.

[43] He made his return to competitive football, albeit in limited game-time and via the club's reserve side in the VFL, in the weekend of the AFL's round 9.

[52][53] Two weeks later he attracted similar praise for kicking a two-goal performance in a win over Adelaide where he left the field early with a suspected but ultimately unfounded groin injury.

[54] Rioli showed no signs of injury the following week, when he kicked a season-best three goals in a tight loss to the Greater Western Sydney that saw him labelled in Richmond's best by AFL Media.

[61] He played at full health and recorded 14 disposals in the club's preliminary final, a shock knock-out loss to Collingwood that brought his season to an end.

[62] Rioli finished the season having played 12 matches and set new career best averages in all major statistical categories including goals, disposals, marks and tackles.

[67] Rioli did not miss a match as a direct result of that injury, but in round 7 suffered more damage with thigh, hip and rib bruising sustained in a marking contest that would lead to him to be ruled out from playing the following week.

[68][69] After one week rest and recovery, Rioli failed to earn immediate selection to AFL level, instead playing one match with the club's reserves side in the VFL.

[74] It would prove to be another short stint though, with Rioli immediately recalled to AFL level after laying seven tackles in that VFL win over North Melbourne.

[78][79] The injury did not require significant treatment or rehabilitation and allowed Rioli to play a full match in his side's preliminary final victory over Geelong a fortnight later.

"[81] In the grand final against Greater Western Sydney, AFL Media labelled Rioli "fantastic in the forward half of the ground" despite a modest stat line that included one goal and four tackles in his side's 89-point victory that earned him a second premiership in three years.

[82][83] At the end of the year, Rioli placed equal-tenth in the club's best and fairest count alongside fellow small forward Jason Castagna.

[84] Rioli took part in each of his club's two pre-season series matches in March before kicking an equal-team high three goals in a season-opening win over Carlton in round 1.

[85][86][87] He received four Coaches' Association award votes for his performance in that match, which was played without a crowd in attendance due to public health prohibitions on large gatherings imposed as a result of the rapid progression of the coronavirus pandemic into Australia.

[96][97] He instead played in an unofficial scratch match against St Kilda's reserves that same week, held due to all AFL clubs' withdrawal from the VFL season.

[106] He had another goal and recorded 15 disposals in a semi-final win against St Kilda one week later, before adding 39 pressure points and six tackles to help his side to a preliminary final victory over Port Adelaide.

[107][108][109] Rioli became Richmond's youngest three-time premiership player ever the following week, adding four tackles in his side's 31-point grand final victory over Geelong.

[135] For the first five and a half seasons of this career, Rioli played as a defensive small forward and was lauded for his ability apply forward-half pressure and create turnovers among opposition defenders.

[15] Notes Team Individual He is the fourth in the Rioli family to play in the AFL, following in the footsteps of uncles Dean and Maurice as well as cousin Cyril.

[143] Rioli's younger brother Brayden is a member of Essendon's Next Generation Academy, boarded at Daniel's alma mater St Patrick's College in Ballarat and has represented the Northern Territory at AFL Under 16 Championships.