Rioli speaks out, withdraws from Showdown amid AFL probe
Willie Rioli has informed Port Adelaide he is not mentally ready to play in Showdown 57, as the AFL investigates allegations he threatened rival players.
“With all the stress from this week, I feel it’s best for me and the team that I take a break,” Rioli said in a statement.
“I again acknowledge that my actions after last weekend’s game against the Bulldogs were totally unacceptable.”
The 29-year-old initially escaped sanction from the AFL despite sending an intimidating message about Bailey Dale to one of the Western Bulldogs defender’s teammates, the day after a heated match in Ballarat on Saturday.
But the AFL decided to probe further after reports emerged of two verbal threats allegedly made by Rioli to a Geelong and an Essendon player.
Rioli and Port football boss Chris Davies met with AFL officials ahead of the Power’s training session on Wednesday.
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He won’t face the Crows in Saturday night’s Showdown at Adelaide Oval, pulling out of the game for his own welfare as he deals with the fallout from the week.
On Wednesday, Port president David Koch said the club was “incredibly angry” about the situation.
“We’ve talked pretty sternly to Willie about it and said it’s just not on,” he said.
“I’m making absolutely no excuse for Willie’s private message after the game.
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“But you can’t mix on-field and off-field comments or it will lead to places people don’t want to go.”
Port Adelaide president David Koch (c) commented on the issue on Wednesday. Image: Michael Errey/AAP
Essendon coach Brad Scott was made aware of Rioli’s alleged threat towards an unnamed Bombers player, but declared it’s “not our issue, it’s a Port Adelaide and AFL issue”.
“Our players have zero concerns,” Scott said on Wednesday.
“Our players feel that whatever was said or done on the field against Port Adelaide should stay on the field, and we’re not interested in engaging beyond this.
“I think people can draw their own conclusions as to whether they (the AFL) are consistent or inconsistent (in sanctioning players).”
But Scott believed “what happens happens on the field should stay on the field”.
Last month, Rioli was granted leave following the furore around a social media post that expressed hatred for AFL rivals Hawthorn.
