Port Adelaide’s Willie Rioli granted leave in wake of post outlining ‘hatred’ for Hawthorn

Port Adelaide forward Willie Rioli has been granted leave following the furore around his social media post that expressed hatred for AFL rivals Hawthorn.

Rioli did not attend Tuesday morning’s light training session at Alberton, and club officials have confirmed he has been granted leave.

It is unclear how long he will be away from Port, but a club spokesman told AAP it is not expected to be long-term. The official said the club would give him all the time he needs.

Rioli was racially abused after expressing hatred for Hawthorn in a now-deleted social media post.

The 29-year-old was involved in a late flashpoint in Sunday night’s Gather Round grudge match, receiving a rare double goal as the Power sealed victory.

He had theatrically held the ball out at Hawk defender Changkuoth Jiath late in the game before scoring from the goal-line.

Jiath pushed Rioli over, triggering a melee and a free kick to Rioli who promptly slotted another goal.

Rioli posted a video of 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 last year antics, what they did to my dad, and my brother, is why I can’t stand them. Not the players.”

View image in fullscreen Willie Rioli booted two goals in a matter of seconds for Port Adelaide after being pushed in the back by Hawthorn defender Changkuoth Jiath. Photograph: Matt Turner/AAP

The Port goalsneak received racial abuse in response before deleting the post.

Rioli has received backing from the AFL Players Association after the racial abuse.

“The racist and homophobic comments sent to Willie on his social media accounts are beyond acceptable,” AFLPA chief Paul Marsh said in a statement.

“For what feels like the 1000th time, we ask these so-called football supporters to stop racially abusing the players.

“Thanks to those fans who continue to call this out.”

Rioli’s father Willie Sr, who died in 2022, was drafted by the Hawks in 1990 but didn’t play a senior game.

skip past newsletter promotion Sign up to From the Pocket: AFL Weekly Free weekly newsletter Jonathan Horn brings expert analysis on the week's biggest AFL stories Enter your email address Sign up Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Privacy Policy . We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. after newsletter promotion

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.

“Willie Rioli and his family continue to carry deep-seated pain and sadness from past family experiences,” Port Adelaide said in a statement released on Monday night.

“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.

“Willie’s welfare remains our priority and the club will continue to provide support for Willie and his family through this time.”

Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell said on Monday night while appearing on Nine’s Footy Classified that he hopes to discuss the matter with Rioli.

Mitchell was a player at West Coast during Rioli’s first season with the club in 2017, then moved into an assistant coaching role at the Eagles the following year.

Rioli joined the Power ahead of the 2023 season after 51 matches with the Eagles, while Mitchell took the reins at the Hawks in 2021.

“I’ve had a relationship with Willie for a long period of time,” Mitchell said.

“We obviously worked together in the west, and we’ve been in regular contact since then, and I hope that we can have a conversation about this at a more appropriate time, and if we do that will remain private.”

Click here to read article