Rioli takes AFL leave in wake of social media post
Port Adelaide forward Willie Rioli has been granted leave following the furore around his social media post that expressed hatred for AFL rivals Hawthorn.
Rioli did not attend Tuesday morning’s light training session at Alberton, and club officials have confirmed he has been granted leave.
It is unclear how long he will be away from Port, but a club spokesman told AAP it is not expected to be long-term.
The official said the club would give him all the time he needs.
Rioli was racially abused in the wake of the now-deleted post.
He was involved in a late flashpoint in Sunday night’s Gather Round grudge match, receiving a rare double goal as the Power sealed victory.
He had theatrically held the ball out at Hawk Changkuoth Jiath before scoring from the goal-line.
Jiath pushed the Power forward over, triggering a melee – and a free kick to Rioli, who promptly slotted another goal.
Rioli posted the incident in an Instagram story with the caption: “Play with fire, you’re gonna get burnt. My hatred for this club goes way pass (sic) last year(‘s) antics, what they did to my dad, and my brother, is why I can’t stand them. Not the players.”
The Port goalsneak received racial abuse in response, before deleting the post.
Rioli received backing from the AFL Players Association after the racial abuse.
“The racist and homophobic comments sent to Willie on his social media accounts are beyond acceptable,” AFLPA chief Paul Marsh said in a statement.
“For what feels like the 1000th time, we ask these so-called football supporters to stop racially abusing the players.
“Thanks to those fans who continue to call this out.”
Rioli’s father Willie Sr, who died in 2022, was drafted by the Hawks in 1990 but didn’t play a senior game.
His cousin Cyril Rioli, a four-time premiership Hawk, and other former Hawthorn Indigenous players last year settled a federal court case with the club over racism claims.
“Willie Rioli and his family continue to carry deep-seated pain and sadness from past family experiences,” Port Adelaide said in a statement released on Monday night.
“Despite the depth of feeling Willie and his family have, social media was not the appropriate forum for Willie to share his emotions last night. Willie understands this.
“Willie’s welfare remains our priority and the club will continue to provide support for Willie and his family through this time.”
Power coach Ken Hinkley downplayed Rioli’s taunt of Jiath as showmanship after Sunday’s fiery clash.
“I actually didn’t see what he did, I just knew he got a second shot at goal which I was bloody happy about at that point in the game,” Hinkley said post-match.
Hinkley was fined $20,000 by the AFL for taunting Hawthorn players after Port’s three-point semi-final win last year.