AFL news 2025: Willie Rioli returns to Port Adelaide, Ken Hinkley leaps to his defence

Ken Hinkley has unloaded on trolls after Willie Rioli faced a torrent of racial abuse on social media after an Instagram post, calling the attacks a ‘disgrace’. See his full comments here.

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has hit out at racist social media trolls while expressing his love for Willie Rioli after the goalsneak’s return to the club.

Rioli was back training at Alberton on Wednesday and available to play this week, ending a leave of absence that stemmed from racial abuse the small forward copped on social media.

Hinkley said Rioli was brave and had copped more of these slurs than any other person he had been involved with.

The veteran coach lashed those who racially abused others, saying laws should make them more accountable.

“It’s a disgrace that racism still goes on in our world,” Hinkley said.

“The way we talk about lots of things in society, yet that is still tolerated and still allowed to go on.

Willie Rioli was back at training on Wednesday. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images.

“None of us have the answer of what can be done better.

“Most commonsense people and really good people understand it’s a no-go zone and should be a no-go zone.

“But some fools in this world don’t change.

“Willie’s a brave young person.

“I just love him and the person he is, and the smile he brings to our footy club most days.

“It’s not a nice day when you know he’s not smiling.”

The racial abuse came after Rioli took to Instagram to express his hatred for Hawthorn for the way it treated members of his family.

He missed Tuesday’s training session with the club’s support.

Hinkley said Rioli was in a better space on Wednesday, grateful for the team wrapping its arms around him.

“Willie’s OK, which is really important,” he said.

“It took a little bit of time for him to deal with what he was dealing with.

“Whatever he needed, we were there to help him.

“He’s gone through a lot and he’s a remarkable person.

“Not many people would be able to cope, I don’t think.”

Jiath gives away a second goal to Willie Rioli. Picture: Getty Images

Rioli was involved in a scuffle late in the Power’s Sunday night’s Gather Round win over the Hawks when he was held the ball out in front of defender Changkuoth Jiath before kicking a goal.

Jiath pushed him, sparking a melee and costing a free kick and second Rioli major from the goal line.

Rioli posted the incident in an Instagram story with the caption: “Play with fire, you’re gonna get burnt. My hatred for this club goes way pass (sic) last year (’s) antics, what they did to my dad, and my brother, is why I can’t stand them. Not the players.”

Hinkley would not talk to Rioli’s feelings towards Hawthorn, saying “that’s his history and his family’s history”.

Rioli deleted the post after it began circulating online and had since deactivated his account.

“That’s sad that for his own wellbeing he needs to do that,” Hinkley said.

Originally published as AFL news 2025: Willie Rioli returns to Port Adelaide, Ken Hinkley leaps to his defence