Rioli on leave after ‘racist’ online comments

Port Adelaide’s Willie Rioli has taken leave from the AFL club in the wake of racist and homophobic abuse he received online after a now-deleted social media post about the Hawthorn club.

It is not known  how long he will be away from the club, but a spokesman told AAP it was not expected to be long-term. The official said the club would give him all the time he needs.

Rioli was involved in a late flashpoint in Sunday night’s Gather Round grudge match against the Hawks, receiving a rare double goal as the Power sealed victory.

He then 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.”

Rioli’s father Willie snr, 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.

While Port acknowledged Rioli’s feelings towards the Hawks, it said their player understood his post was inappropriate.

“Willie Rioli and his family continue to carry deep-seated pain and sadness from past family experiences,” the Power said in a statement.