Glenelg’s Willie Rioli selected by West Coast in 2016 AFL Draft

WILLIE Rioli has overcome his homesickness and is now packing his bags for Perth after being drafted by West Coast at Friday night’s AFL Draft.

Glenelg‘s Willie Rioli is off to West Coast in 2017. Picture: Campbell Brodie.

WHEN Willie Rioli first moved to Adelaide last year to pursue his football career with Glenelg in the SANFL, it did not take long for homesickness to kick in.

The cousin of Hawthorn star Cyril was desperate to return to his hometown of Darwin and his local club, Tiwi Bombers.

But every time he came close to packing up and going home, his parents convinced him to work hard and live up to the potential they knew he had.

Fast-forward two years and the 21-year-old goalsneak is now on an AFL list after West Coast Eagles selected him using pick 52 at last night’s AFL draft.

“The first week of being here (in Adelaide) I remember ringing up Mum and saying I wanted to go back home,” Rioli said.

“But Mum and Dad said to stay and to make a name for myself.

“I am so grateful for my parents getting in my ear and telling me to stay and for Glenelg for giving me the opportunity to improve my fitness.”

Despite his famous football bloodline — his uncle Maurice (Richmond) and cousin Cyril Jr (Hawthorn) each won a Norm Smith Medal as best afield in a VFL-AFL grand final — the newest Rioli’s rise through the ranks has not been easy.

The small forward/midfielder was deemed too overweight and too slow to make it at the top level, but with a lot of hard work, he managed to improve his fitness and lose 16kg over the pre-season.

Speaking to The Advertiser from a cousin’s house in Darwin last night, Rioli said being drafted a dream come true and he was keen to become teammates with 2014 Brownlow Medallist Matt Priddis.

“I am still trying to take it all in and I am just getting a lot of love from the family,” Rioli said.

“I haven’t heard anything yet from Cyril or Daniel, but they both sent me messages before the draft wishing me luck.

“It’s been my dream to play AFL since I moved away from home and I can’t wait to get into training.”

Originally published as Glenelg’s Willie Rioli selected by West Coast in 2016 AFL Draft