‘Inappropriate’ act towards girlfriend sparks AFL stars’ bar brawl

A nightclub patron’s “inappropriate behaviour” towards Daniel Rioli’s girlfriend sparked a fight which left the Tigers star needing stitches.

Richmond training at Metricon Stadium.

The Richmond Tigers have confirmed Shai Bolton and Daniel Rioli were embroiled in a nightclub fight over the weekend.

Rioli required stitches to his face after the altercation, while Bolton is expected to be sidelined for several weeks after fracturing his wrist in the incident.

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick later confirmed Bolton would undergo surgery on his wrist on Monday evening.

According to the Tigers, the incident occurred after Rioli’s girlfriend was subjected to “inappropriate behaviour” from a patron.

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The Herald Sun’s Jon Ralph reported that neither player was under the influence of alcohol when the altercation occurred and neither is expected to face disciplinary action from the club.

“An altercation took place after Rioli’s girlfriend was subjected to inappropriate behaviour,” the Tigers said in a statement.

“Rioli was punched after confronting the patron and suffered a cut under his eye that required two stitches.

“Bolton became involved in the ensuing altercation and sustained a fractured wrist that will require surgery. He will be sidelined for the next two to three weeks.”

Rioli stepped in to protect his partner.

DJ Paris Lawrence and Rioli went public as an item this year.

Bolton has been one of Richmond’s standout performers this season — he mustered a contender for Mark of the Year against the Geelong Cats on Friday evening.

The 22-year-old has averaged a career-best 21.8 disposals per game this year, also contributing 10 goals.

Bolton will join Tigers teammates Trent Cotchin, Shane Edwards, Dion Prestia, Kane Lambert and Ivan Soldo in the casualty ward.

Rioli has played 102 games for Richmond since making his AFL debut in 2016, scoring 87 goals for the club.

Daniel Rioli and Shai Bolton of the Tigers.

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Speaking on Fox Footy’s AFL 360, Damien Hardwick conceded the timing of the incident “wasn’t ideal”, but threw his support behind the injured duo.

“A player’s partner was put in an inappropriate situation that she didn’t feel comfortable with, and Daniel (Rioli) stood up and tried to eradicate the situation (and) was punched in the eye,” Hardwick said on Monday evening.

“Once again I don’t condone violence, but the reality is, put anyone in that situation, they’re going to stand up for their partner and their mates. Shai was the same.

“It was a difficult situation, it’s not one ideally we want to be in, but the reality is we are where we are.

“We’ve spoken to the players at length, once again, we go through a thorough process.

“From our point of view, we’re backing the players. We’re disappointed that it’s come to that situation like we said. We don’t condone violence, but we understand these situations happen from time to time. Doesn’t make it right.”

Richmond has clinched four wins in the opening eight rounds of the 2021 premiership — the defending champions will face the GWS Giants at Marvel Stadium on Saturday evening.

Tigers boss weighs in

Bolton (left) has been one of Richmond’s best this season.

Richmond CEO Brendon Gale would have preferred his players walked away.

“It’s something we’d prefer not to be having to deal with,” Gale said on SEN radio. “At the end of the day, Daniel and Shai responded to what they deemed to be inappropriate conduct.

“They took what steps were necessary, we’d rather they didn’t, we’d prefer they didn’t but they did they did.

“They’re young men and sometimes you can’t put old heads on young shoulders.

“We’ve got a very strong culture based on care and connection and I think that’s worked very well for our entire group over the years and they responded, they took steps what they deemed to be (appropriated) when you want to look after your partner, you want to look after your friends but as hard as it is ... we’d prefer them (to) just walk away, it’s a lot easier said than done and we don’t condone violence in any way, shape or form.

“We understand why they took the action they did, but we don’t condone it.

“I’m encouraged by the fact they’re looking after each other, they’re looking after their partners, they’re looking after their friends and I’m encouraged by that and of course we understand that... but I guess that’s it’s regrettable that they found themselves in that position.

“I reckon the appropriate step, but the very difficult step, would be to simply turn a blind eye and walk away and that’s the environment we live in unfortunately with some of these high profile athletes.”

Gale said he believed the club had requested CCTV footage from the nightclub.