AFL news 2025: Power chairman David Koch addresses Willie Rioli’s taunts and suspension

Port Adelaide chairman David Koch says Willie Rioli was targeted with culturally disrespectful comments during the Power’s clash with the Western Bulldogs.

Port Adelaide chairman David Koch has revealed Willie Rioli was targeted with comments about where he had come from that he said was culturally disrespectful against the Western Bulldogs in round eight.

In the aftermath of Rioli’s punishment for multiple threats to players, which included a message towards Western Bulldogs player Bailey Dale, Koch detailed the taunt during the game that sparked the star’s post-match reaction.

“Indigenous players their whole life have faced casual abuse,” Koch said on FIVEaa.

Asked if he was subjected to racism on the field, Koch said: “Well, if you like, (it was) cultural disrespect during the game referring to where he had come from, community habits, where he came from and things like that.

“...as an industry we have to be aware of that, and as I have said no reason to excuse sending a private message after the game but an understanding of the build-up and the frustrations and that is where the reactions come from.”

Ken Hinkley talks to Willie Rioli. Picture: Getty Images

Port Adelaide declined to comment further on Wednesday but have stressed in the past few days that Rioli was not outwardly racially vilified in the game against the Bulldogs or in the games against the Cats last year and against Essendon earlier this year - the games in which threats were made by the Port small forward to opponents.

The Western Bulldogs would not comment when contacted.

The Dogs and Power privately resolved the matter in the days after the match before the AFL eventually landed one a one-week suspension following new details involving prior on-field threats made by Rioli.

On Wednesday Rioli spoke at Port’s monthly lunch at Alberton for players and staff.

With Sir Doug Nicholls Round kicking off this week, Indigenous players such as Rioli, Jase Burgoyne and Gemma Houghton spoke - while the AFL’s executive general manager of inclusion and social policy Tanya Hosch was in attendance.

It comes as senior coach Ken Hinkley said the Power are confident Rioli will return this weekend against Geelong but will be “very mindful and very cautious” to ensure he’s in the right emotional space.

Rioli took part in Port’s main training session at Alberton on Wednesday as he looks to return to the field after he withdrew himself from the team to play in the Showdown – and then was banned by the AFL – after the emergence of threats to players after and in-games as well as the subsequent coverage around it.

“We have to make some decisions around what is right for that and Willie is a pretty good player and would add to our team in the front half where we probably needed a little bit more last week,” Hinkley said.

“But we will just be very mindful and very cautious in our approach to whether we do or don’t bring Willie into the side.

“If he is happy and coping and doing really well, his form isn’t an issue, we’ve just got to make sure that he is emotionally in the right spot.

“It looks really positive in that space because he’s had a pretty good week.

“He seems like he is in a pretty good spot, he has had a lot of support from our footy club which he appreciates and he has probably had a lot of support from the community which also helps.

“We will see, we will watch him and see how he trains.

“But when he smiles he is pretty good and last week he didn’t smile that often.”

Willie Rioli Brad Close incident

Interestingly the Cats were one of the teams in which it emerged Rioli had made a threat to a player in a game.

Hinkley said it wouldn’t be an issue for Rioli that he was again playing against the Cats if he was chosen to play.

“No not at all, I think that’s OK. We will deal with the moments when they come but there has been an issue that has been highlighted and I think most people will be pretty respectful of,” he said.

It comes 10-years on from Sydney champion Adam Goodes leaving the game after persistent booing he copped from the stands.

The two-time premiership player and Brownlow Medallist is still disengaged with footy, as well as Hawthorn star Cyril Rioli – a cousin of the Power small forward.

Hinkley said it was sad for the game.

Rioli looks set to return for Indigenous Round. Picture: Getty Images

“It is sad that the game has made them feel that way. We have to own it, that is the way they feel,” he said.

“I don’t know those two boys personally so I can’t comment on their own circumstances but I do know Willie and I think the game makes them feel that way sometimes and that should never happen in today’s world.

“He has had a lot of challenges, some that he has caused and some that he has not caused, we would like to think it is just not Willie.

“We are putting all our efforts to make sure there is an opportunity for young Indigenous people to come into the AFL and feel like it is a great program to be a part of and a great place to be a part of.

“Not some of the awkward, nasty stuff that shouldn’t be done.”

Ken Hinkley says Travis Boak will be held back from AFL level for now. Picture: Getty Images

Dante Vistentini is set to hold his spot in the ruck after coming in for Jordon Sweet last week, while Miles Bergman trained as a midfielder on Wednesday after he was used in a tagging role in the Showdown.

It means that club games record holder Travis Boak is set to spend another week out of the side after he returned to action in the SANFL last week following a lingering back issue.

Hinkley said the Power were focused on making sure Boak was fully right to go when he would return at AFL level.

“We are trying to get him into a position where he can have a strong back half of the year at the very least,” he said.

“Getting him through this week and next week and seeing how he feels and how his body goes is important for us.”

Originally published as AFL news 2025: Power chairman David Koch addresses Willie Rioli’s taunts and suspension