Willie Rioli breaks silence after withdrawing from Port Adelaide side as AFL ban handed down

AFL star Willie Rioli has broken his silence amid allegations of him making several “violent threats” as the AFL handed down a ban for his conduct.

Port Adelaide star Willie Rioli has broken his silence after withdrawing himself from Saturday night’s Showdown with Adelaide, after admitting his recent actions have been “totally unacceptable”.

On Thursday afternoon the small forward confirmed that he had informed the Power that he would be taking a break from football as he expressed regret about his recent conduct.

“With all the stress from this week, I feel it’s best for me and the team that I take a break,” Rioli said in a statement on Thursday.

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“I again acknowledge that my actions after last weekend’s game against the Bulldogs were totally unacceptable.

“I apologised to Bailey Dale on Monday and I want to publicly apologise again for the stress my actions have caused.

“I say things from time to time on the footy field in the heat of the moment that I wish I didn’t and I’m continuing to work with the club on managing this moving forward.

“It’s not in my true nature or character to say those things and I apologise for any distress I cause to individuals or their families.

“I want to thank the Port Adelaide Football Club and all of my teammates and coaches for their support.”

Rioli has withdrawn himself for the Showdown. Picture: Michael Klein

However, just hours later the AFL handed down a punishment to the small forward, suspending him for one week anyway after a probe into his recent conduct.

It stemmed from Rioli making threats towards Dale after the Power’s last game where he allegedly warned the Bulldogs player about ‘leaving the hotel’ when the Dogs travel to Darwin to play Gold Coast in Round 9.

The message reportedly featured words to the effect of “I have lots of friends in NT, he should be careful about leaving the hotel in Darwin next week”.

Rioli has reportedly reached out to Dale privately to apologise, with the Power declaring “the matter has now been resolved privately”.

Later on Tuesday, Nine’s Tom Morris reported Rioli also threatened Essendon’s Archie Roberts earlier this year.

“It was in a way teammates of that player could not believe, and it was similarly threatening,” Morris said on Footy Classified.

SEN’s Sam Edmund reports the AFL was blindsided and unaware of Rioli’s previous on-field indiscretions before letting him off the hook.

The matter however was far from over with veteran journalist Caroline Wilson on Tuesday detailing an instance where Rioli had threatened Geelong’s Brad Close.

Willie Rioli and Brad Close in 2024. Fox Footy

“A livid AFL will today re-examine the behaviour of Willie Rioli, with a sanction yet possible for the Port Adelaide forward,” Edmund wrote on X on Wednesday.

“The league is furious over media revelations that Rioli has threatened players in games against Geelong & Essendon dating back to last season, rather than receiving formal complaints.

“The AFL insist they were blindsided by Rioli’s on-field priors and after late-night phone calls, will be seeking more info today.”

AFL hand down punishment to Willie Rioli

As a result of the AFL’s investigation, they handed Rioli a one-match ban.

“The AFL has today sanctioned Port Adelaide player Willie Rioli with a one-match suspension in connection with his recent conduct and earlier incidents that involved physical threats against other players,” the AFL said in a statement on Thursday.

“Following last weekend’s match against the Western Bulldogs, Rioli sent a message to a Western Bulldogs’ teammate of Bailey Dale threatening Dale.

“Dale was made aware of the matter but having received an apology and assurances from Rioli he did not seek that any further action be taken. Having looked into the matter and after speaking with both Port Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs, the AFL determined in all the circumstances not to take any action in what was considered an isolated incident at the time.

“In more recent days, and after the above determination, it has been revealed that Rioli had previously made threats to other players in two previous incidents.

“The AFL has investigated those incidents and spoke to all players and clubs involved over the last 24 hours and the AFL notes the cooperation from all parties including Rioli who made admissions in relation to his conduct.

“Given the cumulative number and nature of the incidents involving Rioli and other players, the AFL has revisited its earlier decision, and it has determined it is appropriate that:

“Rioli receives a one match suspension and is not able to play in this weekend’s Round Nine match against the Adelaide Crows; and Rioli participates as soon as possible in education on respectful / non-violent language and conduct to be prescribed by the AFL.

“Rioli will also continue to be provided wellbeing support.”