AFL commentary star’s extraordinary Rioli theory

Brian Taylor had to be warned by colleagues on live TV he was in dangerous territory, sharing a salacious theory on Eagles star Willie Rioli.

Channel 7 commentator Brian Taylor let loose after 11pm.

Channel 7 star Brian Taylor had to be cautioned by colleague Matthew Richardson that he was entering dangerous territory when he shared a salacious theory on Willie Rioli’s drug test bombshell.

Rioli on Friday apologised to friends and family after revelations he allegedly tampered with an ASADA drug test, triggering an immediate preliminary suspension from the AFL.

He could face four years out of the game if an investigation finds he substituted another substance for his own urine during an out-of- competition drug test.

Widespread reports claim Rioli was allegedly caught during the test trying to fill a test beaker with an external liquid, reported to be either Gatorade or an energy drink.

READ: ‘Lil mistake’: Fallen star breaks silence

The footy world has been scratching its head as to what really happened when Rioli appeared to panic when confronted by ASADA agents for an out-of-competition urine sample on August 20, just days after the Eagles’ loss to Richmond.

Speaking after Geelong’s semi-final win over the Eagles on Friday, Taylor said he believes Rioli would still be playing for the Eagles if not for his moment of panic in allegedly trying to substitute his urine with a synthetic substance.

In a response that raised the eyebrows of fellow Seven stars, Richardson, Hamish McLachlan and Wayne Carey, Taylor suggested Rioli freaked out after falsely believing he was being tested for an illicit substance.

Brian Taylor didn’t hold back.

He said if Rioli had properly understood the rules surrounding ASADA performance enhancing and AFL-conducted illicit drug tests, the 24-year-old forward would never have faced disciplinary action.

Taylor suggested Rioli believed he was actually being tested for an illicit substance and that’s why he allegedly went into a panic.

Under the AFL’s illicit substance policy, first or second strikes do not constitute misconduct under AFL rules.

It’s why Taylor declared publicly on live TV he believes Rioli could have taken the test and not received any disciplinary action.

There is no suggestion Rioli had consumed an illicit substance banned under the AFL’s drugs code.

“I know the ASADA rules are hard and fast and there’s not a lot of wiggle room, I just wonder … he does what he does in a state of a little bit of panic … (why not) test him again and get him to tell you if he has been using drugs and that would have probably cleared him,” Taylor said.

“I would suggest that probably would have cleared him if he’d have put in a proper test. Clearly Willie didn’t know the system.

“To be frank with you and I don’t know if we’re allowed to be frank and politically incorrect, but to be frank with you, I think he thought it was an illicit drugs test, not a performance enhancing drugs test.”

Willie Rioli has travelled to Darwin.

It was at this point that Richardson interjected to say: “We have to be careful”.

West Coast coach Adam Simpson said in his post-match press conference that the club remains worried for Rioli’s mental health after the goalscorer returned home to Darwin on Friday.

“We knew nothing until Wednesday night,” Simpson said of Rioli’s provisional suspension.

“We’re really worried about his mental health. He’s a gentle soul. It’s been a shock how quickly it’s happened, but we’ve got to deal with it as a club.”

“We’re human. We really care about Willie.”

Rioli on Friday also released a statement, declaring he will fight his way back from his current nightmare.

“Just want to thank all my real family & friends for all the love and support through this tough time!” Rioli said in a post on Facebook on Friday.

“Im so so sorry I had to put yous (sic) all through this! We will get through this!

“I’ve gone through tougher times life support, depression, bullying an we’ve gotten through!

“Hopefully this lil mistake is a lesson to be learnt! This definitely doesn’t define me as a person! I love yous all.”

Willie Rioli has broken his silence after one day.

Rioli will not be eligible to compete while the investigation is ongoing but will be able to train with the West Coast squad.

He was forced to watch his teammates fall to Geelong on Friday night and his assertion that it is a “lil (sic) mistake” might be extremely far from reality.

The maximum ban for the charge he faces is four years away from footy.

He will be represented by David Grace QC in what AFL chief Gillon McLachlan expects to be a lengthy investigation.

It has been reported an energy drink could have been used in place of urine from Rioli, but Eagles football chief Craig Vozzo would only say “something other than urine” had been detected in his sample jar.

Rioli was removed from the line-up to face Geelong in Friday night’s semi-final at the MCG following the revelation.

— with AAP