West Coast admits it fears for Willie Rioli’s playing future as club awaits tribunal verdict

West Coast has conceded it is concerned about the playing future of forward Willie Rioli as he awaits the outcome of an anti-doping tribunal hearing.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 18: Willie Rioli of the Eagles celebrates a goal during the 2019 AFL round 22 match between the Richmond Tigers and the West Coast Eagles at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on August 18, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos)

West Coast coach Adam Simpson admits he has serious fears about whether Willie Rioli will ever play again as the premiership forward and club await a verdict from his tribunal hearing.

Rioli hasn’t played since 2019 and sat out the 2020 season while serving a provisional ASADA suspension.

A verdict from his hearing is expected this month and Simpson said there were obvious concerns about whether Rioli would ever play AFL again.

“Absolutely,” Simpson said of concerns.

“We’ll deal with it. He’ll get some clarity in the next couple of weeks and we’ll go from there.

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“It’s a really interesting conversation about what we do once we get the verdict and once we get settled and it’s finalised. We’ll work through it then.

“We’ve been pretty patient considering what’s happened. Some people say that’s on us and on him but it’s been a little bit out of whack.”

Willie Rioli is still waiting on a verdict from an anti-doping tribunal.

Rioli has remained at home in the Northern Territory throughout the drama and Simpson said the small forward was still struggling to come to terms with the incident and doubts over his future.

But Simpson hoped that a verdict would allow everyone to have the certainty required to move forward.

“That’s really important for Willie’s mental health. It’s been a long time and we’ll find out in the next couple of weeks,” Simpson said.

“All I’m thinking about is Willie’s health and well being and where he is at personally. I can’t control what is happening in the courts and the proceedings. What’s done is done. Now we’re just hoping we get a good hearing and get a good outcome.”

The Eagles will train as a full group for the first time this morning after the AFL relaxed the COVID-19 protocols around sessions.

Last week’s sessions were restricted to small groups but today will have the players as an entire squad, enabling higher quality drills.

But West Coast are still waiting for 11 players to be released from quarantine after returning from the eastern states.

Originally published as West Coast admits it fears for Willie Rioli’s playing future as club awaits tribunal verdict