Willie Rioli selected for eagles

[Superstar swan]

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

15

Willie Rioli

Age

30

Ht

175cm

Wt

78kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.0

3star

K

8.0

3star

HB

4.1

3star

M

3.3

3star

T

2.8

4star

G

1.2

4star

No current season stats available

D

11.0

3star

K

7.4

3star

HB

3.6

3star

M

3.0

3star

T

1.8

4star

G

0.6

3star

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

 

[kane249]

He's served his ban, how much longer would you like to tack on to it?

If he plays this week or round 1 next year it's going to be a media circus either way.
They are just ripping off the band-aid and getting it done now so he can start with a fresh go of things in 2022

 

[Superstar swan]

He's served his ban, how much longer would you like to tack on to it?

If he plays this week or round 1 next year it's going to be a media circus either way.
They are just ripping off the band-aid and getting it done now so he can start with a fresh go of things in 2022

I would have thought the Eagles would have imposed they’re own ban after the airport debacle, to really send a message home. Rioli can consider himself very lucky with how good the club has been to him through all this

 

[SloppyJoe]

I don't think informally taking his "king whack" is enough, OP.

Willie should appeal both his AFL ban and his Court fine and try get tougher penalties because it's just, y'know, the right thing to do.

Seriously though, you have a strange take on this.

 

[Anja_Nees]

No issue with him trying to save his career. They probably have to make a call on him in the off-season.

He had a doobie and poured Gatorade in a cup in a panic. A few years off is sufficient punishment.

 

[kane249]

I would have thought the Eagles would have imposed they’re own ban after the airport debacle, to really send a message home. Rioli can consider himself very lucky with how good the club has been to him through all this

I also thought he would get additional time, but is what it is.

For this week we are also about to go into a do-or-die match up to keep our very, very slim finals hopes alive, so you want your best available talent.
When his competition for the small forward spots in Langdon and Petrucelle, you will take an underdone Rioli ahead of them any day of the week.
Ultimately with the form the sides in I don't see it being successful in getting the win, but that's for another thread.

Eagles have nothing to lose by playing him, and as I said above get the whole media circus out of the way so he and the club can have a fresh go of it in 2022 without further distractions.

 

[Dinsdale]

its strange but I'd say WC are playing him now to get it over and done with, and there will be other idiots for the media to talk about next season.

 

[LoungeLizard]

It's a pity gatorade is banned, i would have loved to see how it went.

 

[BallaratBulldog]

its strange but I'd say WC are playing him now to get it over and done with, and there will be other idiots for the media to talk about next season.

I bet you media will bring it up all the time regardless. Including commentry. I can see Darcy or BT always working it in.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Served his time. As for being caught with a bit of weed, FMD, that probably makes him the cleanest player in the AFL when it comes to illicit drugs. The ****ers could support the national party drug industry on their own.

 

[Purple Suit]

I also thought he would get additional time, but is what it is.

For this week we are also about to go into a do-or-die match up to keep our very, very slim finals hopes alive, so you want your best available talent.
When his competition for the small forward spots in Langdon and Petrucelle, you will take an underdone Rioli ahead of them any day of the week.
Ultimately with the form the sides in I don't see it being successful in getting the win, but that's for another thread.

Eagles have nothing to lose by playing him, and as I said above get the whole media circus out of the way so he and the club can have a fresh go of it in 2022 without further distractions.

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.

 

[Dinsdale]

I bet you media will bring it up all the time regardless. Including commentry. I can see Darcy or BT always working it in.

oh for sure, you can see a snide remark about enjoying a Gatorade after the game, then some childish s******s.

 

[Milanista28]

It's a pity gatorade is banned, i would have loved to see how it went.

How what went?

 

[OnlyPowerForever]

When there are players playing for most teams if not all (I'm guessing) who have not served any time off due to the three strikes drug policy, then why would any club voluntarily punish a player longer than the whack already given?

 

[LoungeLizard]

How what went?

Gatorade, that's what Willie got done for wasn't it?

 

[kane249]

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.

If the AFL didn't impose anything for it, why are we going to impose some extra for the sake of it? Just so the Helen Lovejoy's of the world such as yourself can get your pound of flesh?

If your main take a way from this is the Eagles doing anything to win, sounds more like you are fishing for reasons to pile on to West Coast as per the usual

 

[schmuttt]

Makes sense from a PR standpoint, there will be much less media attention on him in round 23 than round 1 2022.

 

[greatwhiteshark]

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.

And since when did football clubs mandate change to now make losing the most important thing? Can you imagine a footy club trying to win? it's unheard of.

 

[Rod Stroker]

I think it's the wrong decision to select him for this game because they need to win to save their season, and they will likely lose, so it's a lot of pressure on a bloke who hasn't played in years.

Just park him away for the year, have a strong pre season, roll him out in round one, even if it means they have to rookie him to free up a senior list spot.

 

[Purple Suit]

If the AFL didn't impose anything for it, why are we going to impose some extra for the sake of it? Just so the Helen Lovejoy's of the world such as yourself can get your pound of flesh?

If your main take a way from this is the Eagles doing anything to win, sounds more like you are fishing for reasons to pile on to West Coast as per the usual

If Nelson get’s busted with drugs at the airport this week, do you think he will be suspended?

Do the crime, do the time. Not get let off because you are currently doing time for 2 other offences.

 

[Ok Boomer]

It might be the only reason why many West Coast supporters will watch the game.

 

[HairyO]

Not played in 2 years, only been training a few months, but in the best 22.

Yikes. List in turmoil !!

 

[Kwality]

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

I'm not sure if you would know how the club has tried to consider the individual before a regimented one rule fits all, e.g Liam Ryan. I wondered which way they would go as there are pro's & cons to any decision.

Picking Rioli is about the individual (in my view) more than the teams season is done. I would suggest the squad support the decision.

 

[Elmer_Hauser]

Not an issue for me

Did the crime and has done well.

I wish him and the Coasters all the best.

 

[spudmaster]

Without bringing past issues into the discussion (they’re long gone and been dealt with).

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.

That was not bringing them into the discussion? The very next sentence!