Willie Rioli said his negative feelings about Hawthorn went beyond the drama that unfolded after last year’s semi-final. Then, Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley clashed with Hawks James Sicily and Jack Ginnivan over a taunt.
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. “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 was involved in a late flashpoint in Sunday’s Gather Round grudge match. They received a rare double goal as the Power sealed victory.
Rioli theatrically held the ball out at Hawk Changkuoth Jiath before scoring from the goal-line.
Jiath pushed the Power forward over, triggering a melee – and a free kick to Rioli who promptly slotted another goal.
Rioli’s father Willie snr died in 2022. He was drafted by the Hawks in 1990 but didn’t play a senior game.
His cousin Cyril Rioli is a four-time premiership Hawk. Other former Hawthorn Indigenous players last year settled a federal court case with the club. They all have racism claims.
Power statement regarding Willie Rioli
The Power said: “Despite the depth of feeling Willie and his family have, social media was not the appropriate forum. Willie shouldn’t share his emotions last night. Willie understands this.
“Willie’s welfare remains our priority. The club will continue to provide support for Willie and his family through this time.”
Ken Hinkley downplayed Rioli’s taunt of Jiath as an example of showmanship.
“I actually didn’t see what he did. I just know he got a second shot at goal.” Hinkley said post-match.
“If he showed the ball, all I know is, Willie is an entertainer, and we should embrace those boys, and we should be really looking after what they do to the game of footy.
“It’s such an exciting time to watch them when they play.”
Hawthorn and the AFL were contacted for comment. The Hawks declined to do so.‘We talked a big game’: Moore rues Hawks’ failure on big stage
Peter Ryan
All-Australian forward Dylan Moore admitted Hawthorn failed to perform on the big stage and were feeling “a little bit of embarrassment” after their first-half capitulation to Port Adelaide in what was billed as the showcase game of Gather Round.
The disappointed Hawk said his team wasn’t tough enough around the ball, losing contest after contest to fall 71 points behind late in the second quarter. The Hawks rallied to be just 22 points down with eight minutes remaining in the match before Port Adelaide steadied.Moore, who battled hard for 22 touches, said there were plenty of lessons for the team in their first loss of the season.
Moore’s declaration:
“We’re very disappointed. I mean everyone was talking about this game. We talked a big game and we didn’t step up in the moments,” Moore said.The Hawks’ approach has been refreshing with their attacking style of football and sometimes brash demeanour thrilling their fans. The hard-working Moore had no doubt the team was better than it had performed.
“There is a little bit of embarrassment that we are told we are built for the big stage and we’re telling everyone we are built for the big stage and in the main event for the weekend that everyone has been talking about and we didn’t show up and they did. Credit to them. They showed up when it mattered,” Moore said.
The match was promoted on the back of the team’s newfound rivalry, built on the back of Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley’s post-game taunting of Hawthorn forward Jack Ginnivan after last year’s semi-final.
However, the contest was over when Hawthorn trailed by 59 points at half-time after kicking the final two goals of the half. They only managed four inside-50s in the second quarter as Port Adelaide piled on six goals.
“If you look at the big picture we are 4-1 … tonight we didn’t show up but we know we are better than that performance and, how good, next week, Easter Monday, the biggest clash of the weekend again,” Moore said.“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.
The Port goal sneak, who was a member of West Coast’s 2018 premiership side, received racial abuse in response before deleting the post.
