Willie Rioli selected for eagles

[Shane Heard]

Compared to Cuz and Kerr he hasn’t really done a lot that bad.

Clubs give super talented players 2nd and 3rd chances

it’s been going on since 1870

 

[The 747]

I think it's clever to bring him back now when everyone's about to start talking about finals than Round 1 when there's nothing else to talk about.

It does seem risky to bring him in for a must-win game though, after so much time off.

Perhaps it is risky, but they have quite a few players who are giving them nothing at all right now, he can't be any worse.

 

[Alesana]

He was one of your best in a losing team against the Pies and was dropped instead of some more seasoned players…again, of course he would be pissed off

Still don't know what Waterman has to do with a small forward coming back into the team to replace another small forward

 

[StevenwellerHFC]

Hope he plays a great game just to piss off people in here.

 

[Freoforever86]

Arguably the best small forward in the team, he's a walk up start any other year without the baggage.

I don’t disagree. When in form.
Just don’t know if it’s the right message to other players.
anyways, don’t have any skin in it, just an unbiased onlooker. Hopefully he plays well

 

[kaiserchief13]

He was one of your best in a losing team against the Pies and was dropped instead of some more seasoned players…again, of course he would be pissed off

He should especially if Kennedy goes on next year

 

[matthew_s]

just an unbiased onlooker.

weird how your mob play better when Fyfe is injured - just an unbiased onlooker

 

[Schauermann]

weird how your mob play better when Fyfe is injured - just an unbiased onlooker

Perhaps it is just the opposition making us look good...

 

[Freoforever86]

weird how your mob play better when Fyfe is injured - just an unbiased onlooker

triggered much?
game against Brisbane would suggest otherwise.

 

[Fyfster]

weird how your mob play better when Fyfe is injured - just an unbiased onlooker

You won a premiership without Nic Nat and haven't really looked like since he returned -Just an unbiased

weird how your mob play better when Fyfe is injured - just an unbiased onlooker

Weird how you win a premiership without Nic Nat and haven't looked like it since he returned . Just an unbiased onlooker.

 

[matthew_s]

triggered much?

really? I just and caught 2 of you.

 

[Percel]

Compared to Cuz and Kerr he hasn’t really done a lot that bad.

Clubs give super talented players 2nd and 3rd chances

it’s been going on since 1870

This

 

[Jmac2225]

No issue here, if he hasn't learnt his lesson yet he never will - otherwise further punishment is just for the PR and putting on a good face for the club. Players mental health should be taken into consideration in these situations too. Excessive penalties and making an AFL return seem too far away or unattainable could easily make someone in Willies shoes give up hope and take the wrong path again.

This is the best thing they could do for Willies rehabilitation.

 

[Carbine Chaos]

Missing the game with a tight hamstring.

Can we just move onto 2022 and forget this year ever happened? Thanks.

 

[Alesana]

What information did you base this thread on Superstar swan ?

 

[garlic munchers]

You’ve highlighted exactly why he is playing, winning is the most important thing for WC. Not adding extra punishment for breaking the rules a third time.

Nothing has changed from a decade ago.

Besides their drafting and trading, what else has Freo done to show they don't also embrace a win at all costs mentality?

 

[garlic munchers]

The thing I’m most confused about is how the heck has that already been two years. Sure it hasn’t for him but that feels like it’s absolutely flown by.

For at least some of the time, I'm pretty sure he felt it was flying by ....

with elephants, pink flamingos, Domino's (the pizza) and unicorns.

 

[Roobs321]

Gives us something to look forward to. Willie was my fave Eagle to watch during 2018-19, we need a bit of dat rn. And if off-season claims him at least he returned one last time.

Im more nervous about Brisbane injuries than Eagle injuries right now I’ll be a Lion/Swan as of next week, so no rough stuff Eagles! (Lol as if)

 

[DirtySandman]

Can we just move onto 2022

Think I’d prefer about 2025 personally. We are in for a few lean years.

 

[ashep]

Giving him a farewell game so they can delist in the offseason

 

[Truckosaurus]

Giving him a farewell game so they can delist in the offseason

1. He's not playing
2. Why wouldn't we have delisted him earlier if we were going to do that?

 

[matthew_s]

Giving him a farewell game so they can delist in the offseason

lol. didnt think 12 words could contain so much dumb.

 

[masai]

Was he really going to play this week ?.

A bit of a media feelgood story ?. Been out for 2 years with no second tier (WAFL) form under his belt.

 

[amazingjoshy]

Does anyone else find this a strange choice by the club. Without bringing past issues into the discussion (they’re long gone and been dealt with) but I find the willie Rioli selection to be a strange one.

He gets done trying to cheat a drug test, cops a 2 year doping ban and luckily not to get sacked. Whilst serving that ban, he gets cought with an illegal substance while travelling through an airport. Not only is he lucky to get sacked again but he doesn’t cop an extension to the ban he is already serving. Now the club is rushing him back into the lineup , to me that seems incredibly soft and doesn’t really drive home the string culture most teams try to create.

For me, as a paid professional athlete he let his team, supporters and the club down with the initial cheating ban and you would think the correct response for him was to take his king whack, and work on building that trust back. You would also think the correct response would be to stay home and train your ass off to remain in top shape and show everyone involved that you are committed to the cause and you take it seriously. Not jet off to Broome , partake in a few recreational activities that aren’t normally associated with being an athlete.

This whole thing has been handled very strangely IMO

Whoops

 

[RAPPA]

Hope he plays a great game just to piss off people in here.

Willie Rioli. Piss.