Willie Rioli will make a comeback to football says dad Willie Sr

Willie Rioli Jr’s battle to save his AFL career is on track, his dad Willie Sr has said, revealing he was in shock when the news came through of the West Coast star’s positive drug test.

West Coast Eagles premiership player Willie Rioli Jr with the 2018 AFL premiership cup and his parents Georgina and Willie Sr. Picture: Justin Kennedy

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Willie Rioli Jr’s battle to save his AFL career is on track, his dad Willie Sr has said.

The 24-year-old West Coast small forward is expected to miss all of next season as he is under investigation for testing positive for cannabis and allegedly tampering with a urine sample during an ASADA drug test.

But while the whys and why nots continue to be debated on the 2018 premiership forward, his dad is confident Willie Jr will emerge a better person from the drugs saga.

“Mentally he’s okay and moving forward, like we all are as a family,’’ Willie Sr said.

Willie Jr holds up the premiership cup after the Eagles won the 2018 AFL Grand Final against Collingwood. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

“Shocked is probably an understatement when news came through of the tests on my son, but we’ve all made mistakes in our lives and hopefully he will learn from this and come out the other side a better person.

“At the end of the day we’re his family and his mother (Georgina), myself, his two sisters and his extended family have been there from day one and will always be right behind him.

Willie Jr after winning the best on ground Chaney Medal for kicking five goals in the NTFL Premier League Grand Final for St Marys versus the Tiwi Bombers in 2013.

“Yes, we’ve been worried about his condition, but he’s okay and knowing my son and his love for the game, he’ll be back and stronger than ever.’’

Meanwhile Cyril Rioli Jr - father of the former Hawthorn champion Cyril ‘Junior Boy’ Rioli -told the 200-plus crowd at Saturday night’s AFLNT Hall of Fame dinner at Mindil Beach Resort Casino how close he came to death in 2017 as the result of a heart attack.

A 12-time premiership player with St Mary’s and one of 15 new inductees into the HOF, the father said he heard ambulance staff say it was time when he was being transported to Alice Springs Hospital.

Junior Boy was granted compassionate leave by the Hawks in November 2017 to be with his father in the NT, and said he contemplated retirement during his time away from the club.

The heart attack occurred while the father was swimming to qualify for his bronze certificate, just before the 2017 AFL grand final.

St Marys stalwart Cyril ‘Junior’ Rioli in 2007 before his 250th game for St Marys in the NTFL with his son and former Hawthorn star Cyril ‘Junior Boy’ Rioli. Picture: Susan Brown

“I’m lucky to be standing here right now, they actually called the time of death before my eyes flicked and blinked and they continued to resuscitate me,’’ the father said.

“I was the fittest I had ever been at 75kg and had climbed Mt Gillen two weeks before.

“It’s why I encourage everyone to get their 12-month check ups, because I know we like a few beers, cheesecake, lollies and chocolates.’’

Junior Boy retired on July 4, 2018 and moved back to Darwin.

Originally published as Willie Rioli will make a comeback to football says dad Willie Sr