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"Poor leadership from everybody": AFL torched over Rioli saga
SEN • May 9th, 2025 12:47 pm
- Rioli has withdrawn from the Showdown
- AFL handed him a one-match ban
- Schwarz has slammed the AFL
- Hinkley has spoken for the first time
The AFL’s handling of the Willie Rioli threat saga has drawn criticism from some of the biggest names in the game this week and David Schwarz has added his scathing assessment to the fold.
The league initially said there was no sanction being handed to Rioli after it was reported the Port Adelaide forward had sent a text message to a Bulldogs player which threatened the safety of Bailey Dale.
But with two further incidents of alleged threatening behaviour from Rioli being reported in the aftermath of the AFL’s initial statement on the matter, the league took almost three full days to make any comment.
Port, the Bulldogs and Rioli himself all made public comments on the matter before the AFL released any communication leading many in the industry to question their handling of big issues.
“It was a mess by the AFL,” Schwarz said on SEN. “It was a mess from start to finish.
“Poor leadership shown by just about everybody. I didn’t like it.
“We are so advanced in so many things but making strong decisions should be second nature to the AFL and right now they are tiptoeing around the big issues rather than being black or white.
“At the moment we are seeing far too many things continue on, meandering through rather than being cut off, making a decision and being strong with it. Put things to be quickly.
“It’s just a mess.”
Amid a barrage of backlash and abuse, Rioli withdrew himself from the Showdown this weekend – a decision which became public knowledge just hours before the AFL issued him a one-match ban.
It means he will be available to play from next week, but Port coach Ken Hinkley said no decision has been made on when his forward will return.
Speaking this morning, Hinkley said: “From my point of view the most important thing is that Willie is OK.
“We will support him and look after him and put our arms around him. He made a mistake he knows that and he owns that; the consequences are known to everyone.”
Asked when Rioli might be back in contention to play, Hinkley added: “They’re not things that are worth chatting about today.
“We know Willie is doing ok, that’s all we care for at the moment.”
Hinkley praised the support he had received from the club this week and the handling of the issue.
“Chris has done a great job of managing things as he does,” he said. “I’ve been able to focus on the game and give some care and support to Willie.
“I’m lucky I have the club behind me to take care of things off field.”
