Port Adelaide forward Willie Rioli has announced his retirement from AFL after 109 games.
The 30-year-old debuted for the club in Round 1, 2023, after he was recruited from West Coast in 2022, where he played 51 games.
He had been drafted from Glenelg with pick 52 in the 2016 national draft, and made his debut at the Eagles in Round 2, 2018, before playing in the premiership later that year.
He went on to play 58 games for Port Adelaide, kicking 151 goals throughout his career at both clubs.
In a statement released by the club, Rioli said he had made the decision to retire earlier this month.
He said he finished knowing he had “given all I can to the game at the highest level”.
“I made up my mind a couple of weeks’ ago that this would be my last season and it was great to finish on such a high last Friday night at Adelaide Oval,” he said.
The game was the last for long-term coach Ken Hinkley and retiring club stalwart Travis Boak, along with assistant coach Chad Cornes.
Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley shakes hands with Willie Rioli at training earlier this year. (ABC News)
Rioli last month revealed that he almost quit football in the wake of controversies in late April and early May.
In a social media post in late April, Rioli expressed a hatred for Hawthorn in the wake of racism allegations against the rival club.
And in early May, Rioli was banned for one game for a social media threat to Bailey Dale after the Western Bulldog made what Port described as a culturally insensitive remark during a game.
In the statement, Rioli said he wanted to see more opportunities given to the other small forwards at Port Adelaide in Joe Berry and Tom Cochrane.
“They’re the future of our club. It’s time for me to step aside,” he said.
“I’ve loved my time at both Port Adelaide and West Coast and made lifelong friends.
“And I thank the Glenelg Football Club for everything they did for me in preparing me for the AFL.
“I thank everyone who has provided me with such great support across my journey and I’ll reach out personally to all those who have helped me along the way.
“In particular, I want to acknowledge the fans at Port Adelaide and West Coast who gave me so much love and support.
“I now look forward to playing my role in helping the next generation of First Nations’ players coming through.”
‘Skilled and exciting to watch’
Port Adelaide general manager Chris Davies said Rioli had “contributed so much to the game”.
“He’s incredibly skilled and exciting to watch, and played a key role in our top 4 finishes in 2023 and 2024 as a goal kicking small forward,” he said in a statement.
“We congratulate him on all he’s achieved at both Port Adelaide and West Coast.
“He’ll forever be an AFL premiership player, and he should be incredibly proud of that.
“Willie will always be part of the Port Adelaide Football Club and we wish him and his family all the best for the next chapter of their lives.“
Port Adelaide also announced it had notified players Ryan Burton, Jeremy Finlayson, Dylan Williams, Lachie Charleson and Hugh Jackson that they would not be offered contracts in 2026.
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