Port Adelaide star Willie Rioli has apologised to Bailey Dale over an alleged threat he had sent to the Western Bulldogs defender, according to reports.
The Age claims that both AFL clubs have ‘privately’ addressed the matter alongside the AFL and that Rioli will not face further sanction.
It is reported that Rioli had sent an online message to the Bulldogs’ star, relating to their trip to Darwin to play the Gold Coast on Saturday.
Sources close to the situation told The Age that Rioli had issued a warning to Dale to ‘be careful about leaving his hotel room’ stating that he had ‘friends and family’ in the area.
It came after Rioli and Dale were involved in a spat with Dale during Port Adelaide’s 20.11 (131) to 5.11 (41) drubbing by the Western Bulldogs at the Mars Stadium.
The 29-year-old Power star has since been slapped with a $1,000 fine for striking Dale off the ball as tensions bubbled over on the pitch.
Port star Willie Rioli (pictured) allegedly sent a threatening text message about Bailey Dale to one of the Bulldogs defender’s teammates after they clashed on the field on Saturday
Bale (pictured with fiancee Erin Meade) was struck in the chest by Rioli during the Dogs’ huge win over the Power on Saturday
Rioli is clear to play for Power during their derby match against the Crows this weekend, despite concerns mounting over whether he would be suspended for the threatening message.
Power are understood to have learned about the message on Monday and have been investigating the matter, subsequently acknowledging that a message had been sent.
In a statement the club said the situation was ‘resolved’.
‘Port Adelaide is aware of a private message sent by Willie Rioli to a Western Bulldogs player following Saturday afternoon’s game between the two clubs,’ a statement from Power read.
‘The matter has now been resolved privately after Willie contacted Bailey Dale from the Bulldogs.’
The AFL has also issued comment on the matter writing that it had ‘reminded both clubs to ensure any communications remain respectful.’
Rioli had also taken to Instagram to express his frustration for being sanctioned for striking Dale.
It is the second time in recent weeks that the footy star has been embroiled in controversy after the former West Coast small forward had taken to social media to fire a barb at Hawthorn.
Rioli hit out at Dale and alleged he started the confrontation (pictured) in a fiery Instagram post
Rioli also appeared to claim the media is biased against him
‘Someone’s once told me if ya can’t take a hit, don’t swing it,’ he wrote over a grab from video showing him lining up Dale and hitting him.
‘They won’t show the first punch but they’ll show my slap on the chest tho.
‘But I understand I’m there story lines, to create opinions and for revenues.’
Rioli made headlines over another fiery Instagram post last month, when he was given time off by Port after attacking Hawthorn on the social media platform.
He kicked a rare double goal after goading Hawks star Changkuoth Jiath, who then shoved him over, triggering a melee.
Rioli posted the incident in an Instagram story with the caption: ‘Play with fire, you’re gonna get burnt. My hatred for this club goes way pass (sic) last year(‘s) antics, what they did to my dad, and my brother, is why I can’t stand them. Not the players.’
The Port goalsneak received racial abuse in response, before deleting the post and receiving the backing of the AFL Players Association over the incident.
‘The racist and homophobic comments sent to Willie on his social media accounts are beyond acceptable,’ 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.
Rioli got crunched in this hit during the Power’s 90-point drubbing in Ballarat – and now he could be in trouble with the AFL too
‘Thanks to those fans who continue to call this out.’
Rioli’s father Willie Sr, who died in 2022, was drafted by the Hawks in 1990 but didn’t play a senior game.
His cousin Cyril Rioli, a four-time premiership Hawk, and other former Hawthorn Indigenous players last year settled a federal court case with the club over racism claims.
Indigenous Olympics great Nova Peris then revealed that she believes some of Rioli’s anger with the Hawks stems from a joke club great Jason Dunstall made about Rioli Sr when he was elevated to Legend status in a Hall of Fame ceremony last June.
During his speech, the 60-year-old admitted he was never known for his athletic ability and fitness, and illustrated his point by saying in his 14 years with Hawthorn he only beat two other players when it came to endurance – one of whom was Rioli.
‘I remember we had a young man come down from the Top End, by the name of Willie Rioli,’ Dunstall began.
‘I don’t think Willie had done a lot of conditioning; he looked like an 18-gallon keg with legs.
‘I got the scent of my first kill – it was invigorating, let me tell you … a week later, he was back in the Top End, poor old Willie.’
The 29-year-old made headlines with another Instagram post last month as he revealed why he hates Hawthorn (pictured)
Peris blasted Dunstall, accusing him of publicly humiliating a man who couldn’t defend himself.
‘I was stunned and appalled by Jason Dunstall’s decision to use his Australian Hall of Fame platform to mock the late Willie Rioli Sr,’ she told News Corp.
‘To make a joke at his expense from the podium of one of football’s highest honours is not just poor taste, it is cowardice.
‘It is a stark betrayal of what that honour is meant to represent.’
Peris specifically brought up Dunstall’s remark about Rioli returning to his home in the Northern Territory.
‘That wasn’t a throwaway line,’ she said.
‘It was a deliberate attempt at humour at the expense of a man who had passed away, a proud Aboriginal footballer who cannot speak back.
‘It was a calculated moment, delivered with a smile, met with laughter.
‘It was a public humiliation of a man who should be remembered with honour.’
