AFL: Willie Rioli’s new drug scandal

Another explosive development in the doping scandal surrounding Willie Rioli has the young Eagle’s career on life support

Willie Rioli’s career may be over after a positive test to marijuana

Another explosive development in the doping scandal surrounding West Coast’s Willie Rioli has the young Eagle’s career on life support.

The AFL confirmed on Tuesday the 24-year-old had tested positive to a metabolite of cannabis following West Coast’s elimination final victory over Essendon on September 5.

Rioli kicked one goal and gathered 15 disposals in the Eagles 55-point demolition of the Bombers.

The talented forward had previously been charged with a breach for substituting a urine sample in an out-of-competition test on Tuesday, August 20, two days after the Eagles lost a thriller to premiership aspirants Richmond at the MCG.

Rioli was provisionally suspended when informed of an adverse finding in regards to the initial test on September 11. It is believed he tampered with the initial test by substituting a urine sample with a sports drink after panicking that it would prove positive.

The premiership-winning Eagle had only just landed in Melbourne with his teammates for a semi-final against Geelong when he was alerted to the first charge. He left the club’s Albert Park hotel immediately and later flew to Darwin with Eagles welfare manager Ian Miller to be with family and friends.

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West Coast has hired regular club lawyer David Grace QC to represent Rioli on the initial charge, which carries a maximum ban of four years. But the subsequent positive test on match day adds another layer of concern amid fears the small forward’s career may be over.

West Coast said they would continue to provide support for Rioli, who is from one of Australian football’s most famous families, amid concerns about his mental welfare.

“As stipulated two weeks ago, the club’s primary concern remains the health and wellbeing of Willie,” a club statement said.

“We will continue to support him through this particularly challenging time to assist him while this ongoing investigation runs its course. The club will respect the process of the investigation into the circumstances surrounding this case and will co-operate fully.

“We expect that these processes will take some months to complete and the club will not be in a position to make further comment until such completion.”

The news of the latest breach broke on a day The West Australian newspaper featured a front-page article based on a poll that found the majority of people from the state believed Rioli should face a ban of no longer than 18 months for substituting the urine sample.

ASADA does not operate on the basis of opinion polls, however, and the second adverse finding will scarcely assist Rioli in pleading for a reduced penalty, let alone a return for the 2021 season.

The charge of substituting a urine sample is among the more serious counts in the anti-doping code. Former head Richard Ings said because the match-day test was taken before he was notified of the initial breach, it is a concurrent matter. As a result, Rioli will only serve one sanction even if found guilty of both offences, but it will be the more severe penalty. There is no timeline set as yet for hearings into the two doping breaches.

Cannabis is considered a performance enhancing stimulant despite scepticism in some quarter. According to the United States Anti-Doping Authority website, while the use of marijuana can cause detrimental effects, there is evidence to sustain its inclusion as a banned stimulant.

“Cannabis can cause muscle relaxation and reduce pain during post-workout recovery,” the USADA website says.

“It can also decrease anxiety and tension, resulting in better sport performance under pressure. In addition, cannabis can increase focus and risk-taking behaviours.”