By Jon Pierik
Port Adelaide star Willie Rioli has been granted leave from the club after the racist and homophobic abuse he received online following a now-deleted social media post about Hawthorn.
Rioli did not take part in Tuesday’s training session at Alberton, and club officials confirmed he had been granted leave.
Time out: Port Adelaide forward Willie Rioli has been granted personal leave.Credit: Getty Images
A club spokesman confirmed Rioli would be given all the time he needed to process the events of the past 48 hours before returning to the club. The Power face Sydney at the SCG on Sunday.
“We’re not putting a timeframe on his return and will provide him with the support he needs,” the spokesman told this masthead.
“In saying that, we expect him to return this week.”
Rioli took aim at Hawthorn on Sunday night in an Instagram post that was quickly deleted. In the post he declared his hatred for the club. His post came after Port’s 30-point win over the Hawks, as he posted a video of his fourth-quarter goal to his Instagram stories with a caption.
He said his negative feelings about the Hawks went beyond the drama that unfolded after last year’s semi-final, when Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley clashed with Hawks James Sicily and Jack Ginnivan over a taunt.
“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 #Cococlub, [sic]” the post read.
Willie Rioli jnr shared this post in his Instagram stories that has since been taken down.
Rioli’s father Willie snr, who died in 2022, was drafted by the Hawks in 1990 but didn’t play a senior game.
His cousin Cyril Rioli, a four-time premiership Hawk, and other former Hawthorn Indigenous players last year settled a Federal Court case with the club over racism claims.
Age columnist Caroline Wilson, speaking on Seven’s Agenda Setters on Tuesday night, said Rioli and Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell exchanged text messages on Tuesday. She said Rioli stressed to Mitchell that his grievances were not personal, the pair having been good friends since their days together at West Coast.
The silky goalkicker, a member of West Coast’s 2018 premiership side, was racially abused in response before deleting the post.
Dr Dvir Abramovich, chairman of the Anti-Defamation Commission, an Australian civil rights organisation fighting hatred, said Rioli had his full support.
“If you are not heartbroken, you are not paying attention. If you are not outraged, ask yourself why,” Abramovich said.
“A proud Indigenous athlete, Willie Rioli—a premiership hero, a son, a role model to thousands—has been driven to the sidelines by a torrent of racist and homophobic abuse.
“Let me be blunt – the same racism that abused Adam Goodes is still alive. It’s just changed jerseys. And today, it found a new target. Let’s call it what it is – a vile, spineless hate mob hiding behind keyboards and fake usernames. They are not fans. They are cowards.”
On Monday night, Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell – who was an assistant at West Coast when Rioli was an Eagles player – flagged his intention to speak to Rioli “at a more appropriate period of time”.
“I’ve read the Port Adelaide statement. I’ve had a relationship with Willie for a long period of time. We’ve been in regular contact since then, and I hope we can have a conversation about this at a more appropriate period of time,” Mitchell said on Nine’s Footy Classified.
“To me, if I was to get in contact with him ... that would not be a public forum, that would be something I do privately.”
In a statement, the Power said Rioli should not have used social media to air his grievances, but the club continued to support him.
“Despite the depth of feeling Willie and his family have, social media was not the appropriate forum for Willie to share his emotions last night. Willie understands this,” the Power said.
“Willie’s welfare remains our priority, and the club will continue to provide support for Willie and his family through this time.”
Rioli received backing from the AFL Players’ Association after the abuse.
“The racist and homophobic comments sent to Willie on his social media accounts are beyond unacceptable,” AFLPA chief Paul Marsh said in a statement.
Rioli was involved in a late flashpoint in Sunday’s Gather Round grudge match, receiving a rare double goal as the Power sealed victory.
With AAP
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