By Carla Jaeger and Jon Pierik
In today’s AFL briefing, your daily wrap of footy news:
- Willie Rioli has had his suspension downgraded at the tribunal but will still miss the Showdown
- Mason to stay a red-and-black man
- Crows call ex-skipper Taylor Walker to play on for a 17th season
Willie Rioli’s incident with Nathan Murphy was closely examined at the tribunal.Credit: Fox Footy
Rioli’s ban reduced
Port Adelaide forward Willie Rioli will miss only one AFL game after having his two-game suspension for striking Collingwood defender Nathan Murphy halved.
Rioli’s lawyer Ben Krupka was able to argue Rioli’s slap on Murphy in the fourth quarter of Saturday night’s Adelaide Oval blockbuster was low instead of medium.
The tribunal panel, however stuck with the match review officer’s grading of intentional conduct rather than careless as Port had hoped.
“The action used was more an open hand to the side of the head. There was only a small risk of injury,” tribunal chair Renee Enbom said.
Rioli will miss only this week’s Showdown against Adelaide and will be available for another crunch match the following round against Geelong at GMHBA Stadium.
Rioli pleaded guilty, but believed his strike was careless rather than intentional and said the impact was low instead of medium.
The only evidence Rioli provided himself was through a written statement, arguing he was trying to push away from Murphy and did not intend to strike the Magpies player.
“The contact was not hard at all. It was a push, the same as the push and shove between me and my opponent,” Rioli wrote in his statement, read out by Krupka.
Krupka argued Murphy was partly responsible for Rioli’s contact being so high.
Murphy fell to the ground after the incident but was able to play out the thrilling game and suffered no lingering effects.
“Murphy’s right arm is rising and there is some form of contact between the two arms,” Krupka said.
“Murphy contributed to Rioli’s arm going higher than intended. There is contact between Rioli’s outstretched and the shoulder of Murphy.”
Following the incident, Rioli was subject to vile racist abuse online.
The AFL is investigating the messages while Port and the Magpies have come out strongly to condemn the abuse on Sunday.
On Tuesday, all Port players and football staff football staff stood together behind the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags to show support for Rioli and the club’s other First Nations and multicultural players.
“We need to stamp out this poor behaviour because it’s not good enough and it’s been going on for too long,” Port star Connor Rozee said on Tuesday.
- AAP
Mason Redman will remain at Essendon until at least 2028. Credit: Getty
Redman recommits to the red and black
Bombers defender Mason Redman has re-signed will stay with the club until 2028, after signing a new contract that ends speculation he was poised to return to his home state of South Australia.
The 25-year-old fan favourite turned down rival interest, saying his new five-year deal was driven by the potential of Brad Scott’s emerging side.
“Our team has seen so much improvement this year, but we know we have a long way to go, and we are all committed to working hard to ensure we are all pushing each other to do whatever we can to achieve the ultimate success,” Redman said in an email to Essendon members.
“I couldn’t be more impressed by the footy club this year and the environment we are trying to create. I’m optimistic success is just around the corner for this club.
“As a defensive unit, we hope to build one of the best back lines in the comp. It doesn’t happen overnight, but it is something we are striving towards, and I can’t wait to keep getting to work with my fellow defenders and the whole team.
“Our supporters are the reason we play. At Essendon, we are so privileged to represent them on the big stage at games like Anzac Day, Dreamtime and King’s Birthday eve. But no matter where we play, the Bombers fans always show up.”
List manager Adrian Dodoro described Redman as an important played and a “real leader within the team”.
“His spirit and presence around the club is influential for his fellow teammates. Mason is the ultimate professional and true club person, committed to not only improving himself but doing anything possible to ensure his teammates are supported in their development,” Dodoro said.
“Mason is a much-loved teammate, highly respected by the wider club and adored by fans. He wears his heart on his sleeve, and we can’t wait to see him continue to grow as a player and person over the coming years.”
This masthead previously reported the Crows’ interest in the 25-year-old restricted free agent but that they were not super aggressive in their pursuit.
– Carla Jaeger
Walker signs on for 17th season
Taylor Walker has eschewed retirement talk, signing a contract extension that ties him to the Adelaide Crows for a 17th season.
Taylor “Tex” Walker will play on for a 17th season with the Adelaide Crows in 2024.Credit: Getty Images
The veteran power forward remains a key component of the rebuilding Crows, booting 54 goals so far this season – behind only Coleman Medal leader Charlie Curnow (61) – and is firmly in the running for a maiden All-Australian selection.
Taken with pick No.75 in the 2007 national draft, former skipper Walker, 33, has 590 goals in 255 matches.
“I have loved the journey so far and this year, getting back to playing some really exciting footy as a team,” Walker said.
“On a personal level, I’m pleased to be able to contribute to the team, and I take a lot of pride and satisfaction in helping our younger players who are starting out their own careers.
“You can see from the footy we’ve played this year that we’re heading in the right direction and, hopefully, we get reward for that in the near future.”
The Crows have slipped to 13th on the ladder, as they prepare to face Port Adelaide in a pivotal Showdown on Saturday.
Crows list boss Justin Reid said Walker was a leader on and off the field.
“That he remains one of the best forwards in the competition at his age is a credit to his attitude and work ethic and standards he sets at training and on game day. We are, obviously, very pleased his career will continue in 2024, as I’m sure our members and fans will be as well,” Reid said.
While Walker has signed on, the future of Rory Sloane, also a former skipper, remains unclear. Sloane, 33, wants to play on for a 16th season. Sloane has played every game so far this season and is averaging 19.6 disposals and 5.3 tackles per game.
– Jon Pierik
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