David Koch says Port Adelaide ‘incredibly angry’ with Willie Rioli over threats to Bulldogs, Geelong, Bombers

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David Koch says Port Adelaide ‘incredibly angry’ with ******* Rioli over threats to Bulldogs, Geelong, Bombers

Port Adelaide President David Koch says the club is “incredibly angry” with ******* Rioli after it was revealed the AFL is re-investigating the troubled Port star over threats to multiple players during the last two years.

Koch’s response comes as Essendon coach Brad Scott said his club had no interest in pursuing the alleged threat Rioli made against one of his players.

Rioli escaped any sanction for a threat made towards Bulldogs player Bailey Dale via text message to Dale’s teammate, but it has now been reported he also made threats on the field in games against Geelong in 2024 and Essendon in Round 3 this season.

Port coach Ken Hinkley is due to speak today and it is unclear if Rioli will now play in the Showdown against Adelaide on Saturday.

“We’re incredibly angry about the situation and ******* knows that. And what’s said on the field is one thing. What’s done off the field — particularly on social media — and a private message to another player who he thought would stay private but then was passed on, it gets very complicated,” Koch said on Adelaide radio.

“We’ve talked pretty sternly to ******* about it and said it’s just not on.

“On field in the heat of the battle is one thing. Off-field and on social media is totally different. That’s why we’re really angry with ******* and what he did, and there’s absolutely no excusing that, and don’t get me wrong on it. But we’ve got a duty of care to support the players and turn a bit of attention on what society is doing to these players.”

On Tuesday night,

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, which she described as a “violent” threat and “bordering on horrific”.

“(It was a) pretty violent, bordering on horrific, threat that was made to a Geelong player by ******* Rioli,” she told The Agenda Setters.

“A lot of players heard it. I’m told the response from the Port Adelaide players, those who were within earshot, was a bit, ‘Oh no, not this again.’

“And the Geelong player who was threatened chose not to go on with it—didn’t want the incident reported to the AFL. But Geelong’s footy boss Andrew Mackie took the decision to refer the matter to (AFL footy boss) Laura Kane.

“Geelong felt that it was just something that needed to be put on the record.”

But the Cats on Wednesday said it did not progress to the point of involving the AFL.

“The club can confirm the matter was not raised with the AFL. The club spoke directly with Port Adelaide after the match and considered the matter dealt with,” Geelong said.

On Wednesday Scott said his club has “zero issues” with Rioli, declaring “what happens on the field, stays on the field”.

Scott conceded community expectations had changed as to what was allowable, and made it clear he expected his and all players to stay away from the sort of racial and homophobic slurs which have drawn heavy penalties and heavy scorn in recent years.

But he said in the “combative” AFL arena, he fully expected players would become involved in heated exchanges nd none of his players were moved to take anything said by Rioli any further.

“It’s not an Essendon issue. Our players have zero concerns,” Scott said.

“There are community expectations around player behaviour on and off the field, but within those expectations I have a pretty firm belief of what happens on the field should stay on the field, provided that it’s within general community expectations.

“Our players feel that whatever was said or done on field against Port Adelaide should stay on the field, we’re not interested in engaging further.”

Scott conceded, however, that off-field indiscretions should be treated differently.

“Across the decades, expectations have quite rightly changes in line with broader community expectations,” he said.

“I think the AFL have been leaders in tackling issues like racism. We absolutely know that there is no space or place for racism on or off the field.

“But on field, it is a competitive environment, and what would be defined as a threat could be a pretty loose term. we play a combative, competitive sport and I would expect our players to be combative, expect than to do that within the realms of sportsmanship, there’s certainly a place for what happens on the field stays on the field.

“But I’d stress again, provided it’s within what we all know are community expectations of levels of behaviour.

“Our game was played, there were no reports made. Our players, and I’ve canvassed them, have absolutely no issue.”

Former Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley said he was concerned about “double jeopardy” given Rioli was initially unpenalised, but said the AFL could have “:been stronger”.

“There are different layers of sanction that you can place … there is obviously a slap on the wrist … there is conduct unbecoming and a fine, and there is conduct unbecoming and a suspension,” Buckley said on SEN.

“Could the AFL have been stronger? I guarantee now they wish they were stronger now that more (allegations) have come (forward).”

The 29-year-old former West Coast Eagle was in hot water after Port’s big win over the Hawks in the Gather Round finale last month when he posted on

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how much he ‘hated’ Hawthorn over how the club had treated his family.

His father, ******* Senior, was mocked by Hawks great Jason Dunstall during a Hall of Fame speech last year, and his relative Cyril Rioli was involved in a lawsuit for historical racism against the club that was settled out of court in 2024.

He took leave from the club after the Hawks match before returning to play in Port’s 85-77 win over the Swans in Round 6.

With 7NEWS/Newscorp

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#David #Koch #Port #Adelaide #incredibly #angry #******* #Rioli #threats #Bulldogs #Geelong #Bombers

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