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Andrew Slevison • May 15th, 2025 9:29 am
Port Adelaide’s Willie Rioli was the subject of culturally disrespectful comments during the recent Western Bulldogs clash, according to Power chairman David Koch.
In the wake of Rioli’s threat directed at Dogs defender Bailey Dale, and previous threats towards Geelong and Essendon players, the Port chief has again spoken out on the matter.
Koch suggests that there were comments made to Rioli in the Round 8 game in Ballarat which led to him striking Dale off the ball and receiving a $1000 fine.
The small forward later sent a text to another Dogs player with a veiled threat, essentially warning Dale not to leave his hotel in Darwin last week because Rioli has lots of friends in the Northern Territory.
While Koch does not condone the behaviour, he has again spoken out about the “casual abuse” that Indigenous players are the subject of.
“Something happened in the game, on-field comments that were…,” Koch said on FIVEaa on Wednesday.
“Now, people will say that footballers are so soft these days, ‘just run with it, accept it like the old days’.
“Indigenous players throughout their whole life have faced that sort of casual abuse.”
Koch was asked if Rioli was the subject of racism during the game?
“Well it was, if you like, cultural disrespect during the game referring to where he had come from, community habits, where he came from and things like that,” he replied.
“As an industry we have to be aware of that, and as I have said no reason to excuse sending a private message after the game, but an understanding of the build-up and the frustrations and that is where the reactions come from.”
Rioli stood aside for last weekend’s Showdown clash with Adelaide but is a chance to play against Geelong at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday evening.
Port coach Ken Hinkley said the club would be careful with Rioli when asked about the potential for a return this weekend.
“We’ll just be very mindful and very cautious in our approach to whether we do or don’t bring Willie into the side,” Hinkley told reporters.
“If he’s happy and coping and doing really well, and clearly his footy is not an issue, we’ve just got to make sure he’s emotionally in the right spot.
“It looks really positive in that space because he’s had a pretty good week.”
