Willie Rioli has acquired disgusting messages on social media after an obvious swipe to the top of a Collingwood participant throughout the Magpies’ thrilling win over the Power.
The high of the desk conflict had followers salivating within the lead up and it delivered in spades as the 2 combatants duked it out.
The Pies trailed by 17 factors with one quarter to play, however as they’ve proved again and again they’re by no means out of it.
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The unbelievable contest has been described because the “game of the year” — however there was a darkish aftermath to the match with Rioli receiving a sequence of racist messages.
Collingwood chief government Craig Kelly issued a press release round midnight.
That got here after Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley leapt to the defence of Rioli over his half in a last-quarter altercation with Magpies defender Nathan Murphy.
With the Power up by 12 factors with simply over 13 minutes remaining at Adelaide Oval, tv replays confirmed Rioli grappling with Murphy then aiming a roundarm slap to the facet of his opponent’s head that knocked the Pies defender to the bottom.
Kelly stated in a press release: “The Collingwood Football Club strongly condemns the abhorrent and disgusting racist remarks directed towards Willie Rioli.
“There is no room for racism in our game and we will not tolerate it – not on the field, off the field or online.
“All of us have a responsibility to call out this behaviour and our club is committed to playing a role in educating as many members of the wider community as possible.
“We stand alongside all First Nations players, staff and supporters.”
Asked concerning the Murphy incident shortly after the conclusion of the epic contest, Hinkley was adamant that Rioli had little to worry from the match evaluation officer.
“There’s nothing in it, surely,” Hinkley stated.
“I looked at it … it’s an open hand slipping up.
“I always say, ‘Let them take care of it’ and they’ll have a look at it if it needs to be looked at.
“But I have actually seen that one so I can say that I’ve seen a lot worse things happen.”
Rioli was one in every of 5 inclusions to the lineup that succumbed to Carlton by 50 factors final week.
He missed that conflict to attend a household perform within the Northern Territory to commemorate the one-year anniversary of his father’s passing.
“He seemed pretty valuable out there, but I thought a lot of players had moments,” Hinkley stated.
“He’s been remarkable.
“He did what he needed to do for his late father and for his family and he came back and did what he needed to do for his football club family.
“He played really well.”
Port stays in second place on the ladder after the tight loss that dropped Hinkley’s facet to a 14-4 document.
The Power led by 17 factors at three-quarter time earlier than being run down by the comeback kings in a frantic remaining time period.
“They kicked three goals from the boundary line, which is remarkable that they keep doing it, but they do it consistently so it’s not a fluke,” Hinkley stated.
“It’s a great credit to them that they take those moments.
“They’ve got a lot of experience and they’ve played those moments really well and consistently since (McRae) has been there.
“Whatever they’re doing together, they’re doing it pretty well.”
The Power should rapidly shake off the frustration of its second loss in as many weeks, with a Showdown in opposition to the Crows looming giant.
“It’s never an issue for us … we want to get over it and get on with it and play the next game,” Hinkley stated.
“I don’t care who we play or where we play, we’re trying to win as many games as we can so we can finish as high as we can to give ourselves the best chance at the end of the year.
“We’re going to try to play as well as we played (against Collingwood) and see if we can improve on our game.
“We don’t worry about the opposition.”
— with Jason Phelan, NCA NewsWire
Source: www.news.com.au
