HTTP/1.1 200 OKServer: nginxContent-Type: text/html; charset=utf-8X-Powered-By: WordPress VIP Host-Header: a9130478a60e5f9135f765b23f26593bX-Content-Type-Options: nosniffX-XSS-Protection: 1x-rq: syd4 123 242 443Cache-Control: must-revalidate, max-age=300Expires: Sun, 09 Feb 2025 19:53:19 GMTDate: Sun, 09 Feb 2025 19:48:19 GMTTransfer-Encoding:  chunkedConnection: keep-aliveConnection: Transfer-EncodingSet-Cookie: nk=d4fd537ff29480321d64cc0d8815e26d; expires=Mon, 09-Feb-2026 19:48:19 GMT; domain=.ntnews.com.au; secure; SameSite=NoneStrict-Transport-Security: max-age=31536000 ; includeSubDomainsContent-Security-Policy-Report-Only: frame-ancestors 'self'; report-uri https://www.ntnews.com.au/csp-reportsContent-Security-Policy: block-all-mixed-content; style-src https: 'unsafe-inline'; script-src https: blob: 'unsafe-inline' 'unsafe-eval'; img-src https: data:; frame-src https:;BlaizeHappened: trueX-ARRRG5: /blaize/decision-engine?path=https%3a%2f%2fwww.ntnews.com.au%2fweb-stories%2ffree%2fnt-news%2fwillie-rioli-sr-nt-and-tiwi-islands-mourn-loss-of-footy-icon%3fnk%3dd4fd537ff29480321d64cc0d8815e26d-1711775422&blaizehost=v4-news-au-ntnews.cdn.zephr.com&content_id=&session=d4fd537ff29480321d64cc0d8815e26dX-ARRRG4: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/X-PathQS: TRUEVary: User-Agent
Territory mourns loss of football legend
Legendary football figure Willie Rioli Sr is being mourned throughout the Northern Territory and Tiwi Islands after his death from a heart attack, aged 50.
This is how he impacted people both on and off the field.
Rioli Sr was a stalwart of Territory footy for many years as both a player and coach, finding success in the NTFL at St Mary’s and the WAFL with South Fremantle.
Rioli Sr was only 16 when he won the NTFL’s Nichols Medal playing for St Mary’s. He was also selected in multiple NT rep sides and was drafted by Hawthorn Football Club in 1990.
Following his illustrious playing career he stayed in the footy world with roles including head coach of the Tiwi Bombers and premiership coach of the Imalu Tigers.
His passing has rocked footy circles in the Territory and interstate, with his son Willie Rioli Jr taking indefinite leave from West Coast Eagles to return to the Territory to be with family.
In a statement, the Rioli family said they were “extremely shocked” at the sudden passing of “Uncle Willie”.
He was the youngest of 10 in the family and was a great leader who pushed everyone to get the most out of themselves. He is going to be sadly missed by the family, friends and people on the Tiwi Islands.
  RIOLI FAMILY
“
St Mary’s Football Club president Adrian Moscheni remembered a “great little man” who always had a big smile on his face.
I remember very vividly and fondly the absolute smile on his face when we won a premiership when he came back to the club.I’m so devastated for the family ... it’s really horrible.
  ADRIAN MOSCHENISt Mary's  president
“
NT Sport Minister Kate Worden called Rioli Sr a true legend of the Territory game and said he would be sorely missed.
A huge personality who always lit up a room, he will be greatly missed. Our paths crossed many times over the years while Willie played for St Marys. His talents and generosity will be one for the ages.
  KATE WORDENNT Sport Ministert
“
Words: Nathaniel Chambers and Ben CameronProducer: Andrew Piva																																								

Original URL: https://www.ntnews.com.au/web-stories/free/nt-news/willie-rioli-sr-nt-and-tiwi-islands-mourn-loss-of-footy-icon