Bulldogs investigating alleged threatening message from Willie Rioli about Bailey Dale

Western Bulldogs are investigating claims Port forward Willie Rioli sent a hostile post-match message threatening Bailey Dale to one of his teammates.

Western Bulldogs are investigating claims Port Adelaide’s Willie Rioli sent a hostile post-match message threatening Bailey Dale to one of his Bulldogs’ teammates.

The Herald Sun understands the Dogs are aware Rioli allegedly made contact with a Bulldogs’ player which indirectly threatened Dale after their on-field skirmish in Ballarat on Saturday.

The pair clashed physically and verbally on-field with Rioli fined $1000 for striking Dale in the third quarter.

But it’s the contents of a post-match online message to a Bulldogs’ teammate about Dale which has become the centre of a probe at Whitten Oval on Monday.

Will the MRO look at this incident between Willie Rioli & Bailey Dale?

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The Bulldogs have notified the AFL which is working through the matter with Port Adelaide.

Power chiefs have been in contact with Rioli and the Dogs about the nature of the message which was sent after the Dogs’ 91-point win over Port.

A statement from Port Adelaide is expected tonight.

The Bulldogs face Gold Coast in Darwin on Saturday night at TIO Stadium.

Rioli posted a cryptic Instagram story on Sunday, alluding to people not knowing what others have been through.

Willie Rioli’s story. Picture: Instagram

Rioli, 29, is from Tiwi Islands in Northern Territory and last month posted a social media statement declaring his “hatred” for Hawthorn over the club’s treatment of indigenous players, including his father, Willie Sr.

“It wasn’t a target at the current playing group … and I’m really close with (coach) Sammy Mitchell,” Rioli said.

“I sent him an apology … I’m one of those raw people that let my emotion sometimes get the best of me.”

Rioli said in the deleted message: “Play with fire, you’re gonna get burnt. My hatred for this club goes way past last year antics, what they did to my dad, and my brother, is why I can’t stand them. Not the players. #Cococlub.”

Power officials supported Rioli but attempted to counsel him on his use of social media.

Originally published as Bulldogs investigating alleged threatening message from Willie Rioli about Bailey Dale