AFL great Matthew Lloyd has remarked on the league’s “embarrassing” handling of a situation involving Port Adelaide player Willie Rioli, who controversially withdrew from this weekend’s Adelaide Showdown. Rioli is embroiled in a scandal after allegedly sending a threatening message to Western Bulldogs player Bailey Dale, warning him about staying away from Darwin due to concerns about his safety. This incident follows a physical altercation between the two players during a recent match.
The AFL had already sent out a memo to clubs emphasising the importance of respectful communication before further allegations about Rioli’s past behaviours emerged. Lloyd expressed his discontent with the AFL’s response to the incident, highlighting a concerning double standard where players have received harsher penalties for lesser offences, such as inappropriate gestures, while Rioli faced minimal repercussions for his conduct.
There have been prior allegations against Rioli by Essendon and Geelong regarding similar behaviours. Despite being named to play for Port Adelaide, Rioli subsequently pulled out, and the club is now under pressure to address his involvement in the upcoming game.
Lloyd questioned the AFL’s knowledge of Rioli’s past actions, noting mixed messages from different sources regarding whether the league was informed of previous allegations. He believes that the AFL and Port Adelaide should reconsider allowing Rioli to participate in light of his recent behaviour, stressing that the league’s handling of the situation reflects poorly on its integrity.
As Port Adelaide prepares for their match against the Adelaide Crows on Saturday night, the ongoing controversy around Rioli adds tension to the atmosphere surrounding the event. Lloyd’s comments raise important concerns about player conduct and accountability within the AFL, reinforcing the urgency for a consistent approach to disciplinary measures.