‘We don’t react to media criticism’: Dillon defends Rioli penalty

AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon insists the decision to penalise Willie Rioli wasn’t a reaction to media criticism, and says he has not spoken to the Port Adelaide forward since he was given a one-match ban.

Speaking for the first time publicly about the Rioli case, Dillon, in Darwin on Tuesday for the 10th anniversary launch of the Sir Doug Nicholls rounds, said the league reversed its decision to not initially suspend the Power star after learning of the totality of his threatening behaviour.

Taking a stand: AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon has defended the manner in which the league handled the Willie Rioli case.Credit: Getty Images

Rioli escaped censure when it emerged he had delivered a threatening message to a Western Bulldogs player aimed at one of his teammates, but that was reversed when earlier verbal incidents with Geelong and Essendon players came to light.

“We went through a process last week and Willie acknowledged his behaviour was not acceptable,” Dillon said.

“We made the decision based on the information we had and, in Willie’s instance, there was also an on-field and off-field part to that. We made the decision earlier in the week without knowledge of the previous incidents.

“When all that information came to light, the different decision was laid down looking at it all in totality.”

Dillon said he had not spoken with Rioli, but had been in regular contact with Power officials, and was confident the player was getting all the support he needed.

“I hope when Willie is back on the field, he has the ability to show the talent he has. He’s done so much hard work to get where he is, and I hope he continues to thrive,” Dillon said.

The Power are hopeful Rioli returns to the field against Geelong on Saturday.

Dillon denied the claim that the AFL penalised Rioli only after there had been media and public criticism of how the case had initially been handled.

St Kilda star Brad Hill fears racism will always exist.Credit: Getty Images

“We don’t react to media criticism. If we did that, we would be changing our mind every single day,” Dillon said.

“What we do is make decisions based on the information we have. I know there are always different views on any sanctions on players.”

Asked about the response by rival club bosses to how the case had been handled, Dillon replied: “You get lots of different views on every decision that we make. What we want to try and do is just be as consistent as we can be.”

He said the issue would be discussed by club presidents and chief executives at their mid-year meeting.

On a day when the AFL was keen to spruik one of its most important showcase rounds of the year, St Kilda veteran Brad Hill said he feared racist abuse towards players by the public will always exist, but said players had cleaned up their act on field.

With the Power putting racism, and the manner in which it is reported by the media, on the agenda following the Rioli saga, Hill, a former premiership Hawk and Fremantle player, said Indigenous players were still subjected to abuse from beyond the boundary, including by keyboard warriors.

“It’s definitely, obviously, a problem, and I think it is always going to be a problem, no matter what in society,” Hill said.

“People behind keyboards, and talking, you are always going to cop hate, no matter what, I reckon. Definitely, as a country, we are getting better, but there is, obviously, a long way to go.”

Rioli has been subjected to abuse on social media “every day”, according to Power football department boss Chris Davies.

“The big one, social media, can be massive for any player, Indigenous and non-Indigenous players,” Hill said.

“My advice, I remember when I used to cop a bit, is what I do – people can’t message me on social media. It’s only people that I follow, that are my friends – you are not going to be copping that hate.

“Obviously, there is lots out there, and you are going to be copping it no matter what. It’s trying to avoid it as much as possible.”

However, Hill said racist barbs were no longer an issue among players on field.

“I think players do, definitely,” Hill said when asked if players knew where the proverbial “line” was.

Back in the fold: Willie Rioli is likely to face the Cats this weekend.Credit: AFL Photos

“Players … you don’t really hear about any of that sort of stuff. Obviously, there is some other stuff going on, but I don’t think I have heard any racial stuff between players to players. Obviously, there has been stuff in the past – not anything that I have encountered.”

In an interview on 3AW on Saturday, Davies pointed to the complexities, saying if an Indigenous player was abused for being overweight, then that could be interpreted as having racist overtones if linked to the player’s cultural diet.

The Power have rallied around Rioli, coach Ken Hinkley warning opponents against sledging the goal-kicking forward in an attempt to get under his skin. But Power assistant coach Josh Carr said Hinkley’s warning could fall on deaf ears.

“I think Willie understands what that looks like and what could come his way, as long as it’s all within the game,” Power assistant coach Josh Carr said.

Cats forward Tyson Stengle said he doubted his team would target Rioli.

“Nah, I don’t think they will. I think they [Port] will want him to be playing this week – he is one of their better players. It will be good to see him out there,” Stengle said.

Hill said education was the key to helping eradicate racism, whether that be in the public or within clubs.

“I think everything comes back to education and having a better understanding. I find, even at our club, we have Aunty Katrina [Amon] that helps in that sort of space,” Hill said.

“I think [coach] Ross [Lyon] has been a massive one for us, and the backing he has on us and understanding of our backgrounds and our culture.”

Davies said accredited media covering the AFL should be given greater education.

Meanwhile, Dillon said Darwin, led by the work completed by AFL Northern Territory, was building a strong business case to be in the running for the league’s 20th club licence once the Tasmanian Devils were embedded in the competition from 2028.

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