By Marc McGowan
Port Adelaide forward Willie Rioli has apologised to Bailey Dale for an alleged threat he sent about him to one of the Western Bulldogs star’s teammates after they clashed in Ballarat on Saturday.
The Power and Bulldogs privately dealt with the matter on Monday, in consultation with the AFL, and there will be no sanction for Rioli.
Willie Rioli during Saturday’s game in Ballarat.Credit: Getty Images
Three sources familiar with the situation told this masthead that Rioli’s online message related to the Bulldogs’ trip to Darwin to play against Gold Coast on Saturday night, in particular a warning that he had friends and family there and Dale should be careful about leaving his hotel room.
Rioli received a $1000 fine for striking Dale in the third quarter of Port Adelaide’s 90-point loss to the Bulldogs in Ballarat on Saturday, but it is what he allegedly wrote in the message that saw both clubs investigate the matter.
The Power found out about the allegation late on Monday morning and spent most of the day looking into the matter. They acknowledged Rioli’s message in a statement on Monday night, saying the situation was “resolved” after Rioli contacted Dale.
The AFL confirmed no further action would be taken on the matter, but reminded both clubs to “ensure any communications remain respectful”.
It is the second time within weeks that Rioli found himself in the news for a post-match message. The previous time, he posted on social media about his “hatred” for Hawthorn after Port’s 30-point win over the Hawks.
He said that his negative feelings about Hawthorn went beyond the drama between the clubs after last year’s semi-final, when Power coach Ken Hinkley clashed with Hawks James Sicily and Jack Ginnivan.
“Play with fire, your gonna get burnt, my hatred for this club goes way pass last year antics, what they did to my dad, and my brother, is why I can’t stand them, not the players,” Rioli’s since-deleted post read.
Port Adelaide issued a statement after that incident, too, saying that Rioli and his family “continue to carry deep-seated pain and sadness from past family experiences”, but that social media was “not the appropriate forum” to share his comments.
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