Willie Rioli retires

[HairyO]

Did he? I didn't realise that. I thought he was just busted smoking bongs.

He submitted Gatorade as his urine sample. So... maybe he was telling the truth about being a chronic pot smoker.

If he wasnt a heavy user, then he would have to be the lowest IQ player in the history of the game. By a LONG LONG way.

 

[Cleric]

Sad to see him go out this way. Hopefully he is now retired he can have some more kids and send another generation of Riolis the AFLs way.

 

[Lavender Bushranger]

He submitted Gatorade as his urine sample. So... maybe he was telling the truth about being a chronic pot smoker.

If he wasnt a heavy user, then he would have to be the lowest IQ player in the history of the game. By a LONG LONG way.

I've always marvelled at guys that played footy stoned.

A mate of mine smoked bongs with a guy who played for the Bulldogs a few years ago before he went to play on a Friday night at the MCG!!

I won't mention his name, because I wasn't there myself so it's anecdotal - but we couldn't believe he'd go out and play AFL footy whilst he was high! This was probably mid-90s.

Talk about the opposite of performance enhancing!

 

[Elixuh]

I love Willie. Great player and entertainer. Was fun to watch.

 

[joey_jo_jo]

He was a great character and on his day could light up the field. The hate towards him by hawks supporters is hilarious, the AFL and Hawks covered up Buddys drug habits for years so get off the high horse.

 

[Andyy]

I've always marvelled at guys that played footy stoned.

A mate of mine smoked bongs with a guy who played for the Bulldogs a few years ago before he went to play on a Friday night at the MCG!!

I won't mention his name, because I wasn't there myself so it's anecdotal - but we couldn't believe he'd go out and play AFL footy whilst he was high! This was probably mid-90s.

Talk about the opposite of performance enhancing!

I know blokes that batted in cricket matches stoned.

Many people swear it heightens your senses and concentration. All anecdotal of course lol

 

[rfctigerarmy]

Gotta say, I think the death threats thing was a bit overblown.

I might be on my own here, but I didn't really think much of it.

I mean, did they really think he was plotting to have them killed?

Yeah?

I guess it's like calling someone a homosexual, or being racist right, but just threatening them with their life instead. Definitely should be considered fine, right?

 

[Lavender Bushranger]

Yeah?

I guess it's like calling someone a homosexual, or being racist right, but just threatening them with their life instead. Definitely should be considered fine, right?

I see homophobia and racism, and other forms of bigotry as being completely different to what Rioli did.

Completely and utterly different.

 

[Xtreme]

Won't miss him

Suspect he'll be hitting more headlines in a negative way Cousins/Kerr style in the future.

 

[Bucking Beads]

He obviously wants to get at the MCG for a lap of honour and a catch up with Snoop Dog...

 

[rfctigerarmy]

I see homophobia and racism, and other forms of bigotry as being completely different to what Rioli did.

Completely and utterly different.

Death threat not as bad?

Kay

 

[Rabish Binney]

He wont be missed.

 

[Lavender Bushranger]

Death threat not as bad?

Kay

I didn't say not as bad, I said different.


But having said, in the context of both scenarios - homophobia is clearly a bigger issue for the AFL than some bloke trying to be tough and telling someone that his mates are going to kill him.

The former is a significant issue for the AFL that they've been actively trying to address for 20 years, the latter is laughable.

 

[DangerSloane]

I've always marvelled at guys that played footy stoned.

A mate of mine smoked bongs with a guy who played for the Bulldogs a few years ago before he went to play on a Friday night at the MCG!!

I won't mention his name, because I wasn't there myself so it's anecdotal - but we couldn't believe he'd go out and play AFL footy whilst he was high! This was probably mid-90s.

Talk about the opposite of performance enhancing!

Being high can actually enhance performance of things you know well/do all the time.

Its when you have to do something new that it becomes a problem.

 

[Obeanie1]

More gangsta-wit-a-gun. Now he doesnt have the shackles of the AFL man holding him back anything is possible !

A drug cheat who was sheltered by his club while banned and while injured and then jumped ship at the 1st opportunity.

His football will be forgotten long before his off-field antics are forgotten - which they no doubt will be too.

Haters gotta hate.

You are a real happy chap.....we can tell.

 

[HairyO]

Haters gotta hate.

You are a real happy chap.....we can tell.

I hate drug cheats. I hate people who make death threats.

Im a bad person.

No wait, Willie is.

 

[Obeanie1]

I hate drug cheats. I hate people who make death threats.

Im a bad person.

No wait, Willie is.

Feel free to explain how the club "sheltered" him whilst he was suspended?

He wasn't even allowed at the club nor be in regular contact whilst suspended.

And you think no Hawks players dabble in rec drugs?

I'd bet a body part they do.

And if it came out your attitude would be different concerning your own.

 

[joe444]

Presumably to spend/do more time with the people close to him.

 

[DangerSloane]

I hate drug cheats. I hate people who make death threats.

Im a bad person.

No wait, Willie is.

Recreational drug users are not drug cheats.

 

[HairyO]

Recreational drug users are not drug cheats.

He tried to cheat an official ASADA drug test. That makes him a drug cheat. Because we dont know what the drug test would have found. And he got a 2 year penalty for it, which is par-for-the-course in Australia where we demand overseas drug cheats get the full 4 years but always seem to find our drug cheats get lighter sentences.

 

[jj1978]

Didn't look like he could complete another pre-season in his current composition.

 

[Scotland]

He tried to cheat an official ASADA drug test. That makes him a drug cheat. Because we dont know what the drug test would have found. And he got a 2 year penalty for it, which is par-for-the-course in Australia where we demand overseas drug cheats get the full 4 years but always seem to find our drug cheats get lighter sentences.

If he just failed the test he would've got a slap on the wrist. So, so, so dumb.

 

[HairyO]

If he just failed the test he would've got a slap on the wrist. So, so, so dumb.

Yep. He really ****ed up massively and ruined his standing in the game. At the time he was looking to be a very good small forward.

 

[Scotland]

Ignoring the fact that he was a pain in the arse for WC by getting done by ASADA for stupidly trying to avoid a drug test he could've failed and been fine and then requesting a trade after he came back, he was a pretty good player. Just has that natural vision and feel for the game where a quick handball or front and centre goal looks easy. On the spectrum of Riolis he's somewhere between Cyril and Dean in skill and, err, shape. Just wish he had the work rate of Maurice Jr.

 

[Cyclonus]

Would hate to be a bowl of green stuff tonight.

Doesn't look the type to eat salad.