Rewritten Article:
Football player Willie Rioli expresses remorse to a fellow athlete, admitting to sending a potentially intimidating message following a game.
Willie Rioli, the star of Port Adelaide, finds himself in hot water once more, as he's facing scrutiny for an alleged threatening message sent to Bailey Dale, a Western Bulldogs defender. The controversy came to light following their intense clash during Round 8 in Darwin, which the Bulldogs won big.
Insiders close to the situation reveal that Rioli warned Dale to be cautious when departing his hotel room, as he had "friends and family" in the area. The back-and-forth on the field during the game escalated tensions, resulting in Rioli being sanctioned for striking Dale off the ball.
The AFL clubs involved, as well as the league itself, have reportedly addressed the matter privately and Rioli is unlikely to face any further disciplinary action. Port Adelaide, meanwhile, has acknowledged the incident and stated that it has been resolved.
"We are aware of a private message sent by Willie Rioli to a Western Bulldogs player following Saturday afternoon’s game," Port Adelaide said in an official statement.
Rioli took to Instagram to express his frustration over the sanction, writing, "Someone's once told me if ya can't take a hit, don't swing it." He went on to argue that the media is biased against him and that they'll only "show my slap on the chest tho."
This is not the first time Rioli has been under the spotlight for controversial behavior. Previous incidents include an Instagram post attacking Hawthorn in response to racial abuse he received, as well as a spat with Changkuoth Jiath of Hawthorn that led to a melee on the field. The racial abuse he received was condemned by the AFL Players Association, who went on record saying, "The racist and homophobic comments sent to Willie on his social media accounts are beyond acceptable."
The controversy surrounding Rioli comes at a crucial time for the Port Adelaide Power, as they prepare for the Showdown against Adelaide, a fierce derby match with significant implications for both teams' seasons. The timing of the controversy has added fuel to the fire, intensifying the scrutiny and pressure on Rioli and the Power. However, it remains uncertain whether Rioli's potential suspension will affect his participation in the upcoming Showdown.
A brief history reveals that Willie Rioli Sr., Rioli's father, was drafted by Hawthorn in 1990 but did not play a senior game. His cousin, Cyril Rioli, a four-time premiership Hawk, and other former Hawthorn Indigenous players settled a federal court case with the club over racism claims in 2022. Nova Peris, an Indigenous Olympics great, believes Rioli's anger towards Hawthorn stems from a joke made by Jason Dunstall during his Hall of Fame ceremony in 2023. The joke indicated that Rioli Sr. was not known for his athletic ability or fitness while playing for Hawthorn. Peris criticized Dunstall for publicly humiliating the late Rioli Sr., accusing him of cowardice and betrayal.
[1] The Age. (2025, April 13). Rioli's message to Dale resolved, claims Port Adelaide. Retrieved April 16, 2025, from https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/rioli-s-message-to-dale-resolved-claims-port-adelaide-20250412-p5dvvr.html
[2] SEN Sport. (2025, April 12). The Age: Bulldogs and Power not expected to take further action against Rioli after message. Retrieved April 16, 2025, from https://sensport.com.au/afl/the-age-western-bulldogs-port-adelaide-not-expected-to-take-further-action-against-rioli-after-message/
[3] Daily Telegraph. (2025, April 12). AFL investigating alleged confrontation between Rioli, Dale during clash. Retrieved April 16, 2025, from https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/afl/afl-investigating-alleged-confrontation-between-rioli-dale-during-clash/news-story/707ddebabe62cb498f507e27c5153417
[4] AFL.com.au. (2025, April 9). Port Adelaide v Western Bulldogs match report. Retrieved April 16, 2025, from https://www.afl.com.au/news/707df5d078e9f2df9579fbe698be218d
[5] AFL.com.au. (2025, April 13). Five key stats from Port Adelaide's loss to the Western Bulldogs. Retrieved April 16, 2025, from https://www.afl.com.au/news/707ddf16955dee194b7dfbe66dd2e879
- The news of Willie Rioli's alleged threatening message to Bailey Dale, a Western Bulldogs defender, has sparked controversy, especially after their team's drubbing during the Round 8 match in Darwin.
- Despite the private talks among the clubs and the league, the sports world expresses concern as Rioli, a Port Adelaide star, allegedly sent express messages to his opponents, causing tension in the AFL football community.
- While European-leagues and the Premier League may have lesser concerns about Rioli's actions, his constant involvement in controversy might impact his team, Port Adelaide Power, as they prepare for crucial matches like the Showdown against Adelaide.
- The controversy surrounding Rioli is not new, as he has been under the spotlight for controversial behavior, such as attacking Hawthorn on Instagram and incidents leading to melees on the field.
- The allegations against Rioli also bring to light a history of racial abuse and humiliation experienced by his father, Willie Rioli Sr., and the family, which might explain Rioli's frequent disagreements with Hawthorn.
