Mark Riddell
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Personal information
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| Full name | Mark Robert Riddell | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nickname | Piggy | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born |
9 December 1980 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
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Playing information
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| Height | 182 cm (6 ft 0 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 109 kg (17 st 2 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Hooker | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Source: NRL Stats, Rugby League Project
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Mark Robert Riddell (born 9 December 1980) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 2000s and 2010s. A City New South Wales representative goal-kicking hooker, he played in Australasia's National Rugby League (NRL) for the St George Illawarra Dragons, Parramatta Eels and Sydney Roosters and in Europe's Super League with the Wigan Warriors. While in his last season at the St George Illawarra club, Riddell was called up for his first representative honour playing for the City team in the annual City vs Country Origin clash and also set the club record for highest-ever point scorer. After moving to the Eels the following year he was again called up to the City side. Riddell moved to Wigan in 2009 and went on to win the 2010 Super League Grand Final with them.
Riddell began playing rugby league at the age of four for his local Panania side St Christopher’s in the Canterbury competition where his talent was noticed by several rugby league scouts. Eventually the Sydney Roosters won the race for his signature. He played for several years in the lower grades at the Roosters but was unable to make his way into the first grade, so left the club looking for opportunities elsewhere. Eventually he signed with the St George Illawarra Dragons.
Riddell eventually made the transition into first grade while playing with his new club side at the Dragons, making his debut against local rivals the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks during round one of the 2001 season. Riddell became an immediate fan favourite at his new club after several displays showcasing a good running game particularly out of dummy-half along with good hands and agility for a man of his size and build. During the season he became a regular goal-kicker for the club where he developed a distinctive 'raised arm' motion before he would take the kick. Fans in the crowd would mimic this action. Riddell had an impressive debut season in first grade with the Dragons finishing the season as the club's top scorer with 130 points and cemented his position in the side as hooker.
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