Hot favourite Matthew Rizzo charges to Stawell Gift glory
Langwarrin 18-year-old Matthew Rizzo was the hottest of favourites going into the Stawell Gift final and he delivered in grand style.
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Rizzo, who finished second last in the 2016 final, stormed to victory in a time of 12.10sec to finish well clear of the fast-finishing Nathan Riali and third-placed Kyle Grubnic.
“All the hard work has paid off. I’m lost for words,” Rizzo, who ran from a 7.5m handicap, said.
“I walked away last year from that final a little bit disappointed. I wanted to take it out this year and I just did it.”