Search

show me:

Eagle Willie Rioli produces training magic

3 minute read

West Coast forward Willie Rioli has been welcomed back with open arms to the club's headquarters after serving out his training ban.

WILLIE RIOLI of the Eagles.
WILLIE RIOLI of the Eagles. Picture: Will Russell/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Banned West Coast forward Willie Rioli has shown he's lost none of his magic by producing a series of dazzling moments during his long-awaited return to the AFL club.

Rioli was welcomed back to the club on Monday following the end of his training ban, with the 26-year-old joining his teammates for a light one-hour session that was closed to the public.

A happy and relaxed Rioli started the session by walking laps, but it was the skills part where he was able to showcase his freakish talents.

Rioli marked a ball behind his back while doing a 360-degree spin early in the session, and was full of smiles as he traded kicks with former Geelong player Tim Kelly.

The most memorable moment came near the end of the session when Rioli lined up a series of footballs along the boundary line to produce a party trick.

Rioli used his feet to flick up the stationary ball behind his back, before unleashing a volley from the tight angle.

His first attempt hit the post, but his second shot went in.

Rioli's two-year ban for twice substituting a urine sample during an anti-doping test expires on August 20, meaning he will be available to play in the final round of the home-and-away season.

Eagles captain Luke Shuey is confident Rioli, who will now embark on a nine-week training block, can have an impact this year.

"He's got natural talent. So I don't think he needs a massive block of training or three or four practice matches to get going," Shuey said.

"You remember what he was like as a player - no one can do the stuff he does. If we can get him back, that's a huge bonus for us.

"Not a lot of teams have a player like Willie. And the teams that do, they tend to be the teams up the top of the ladder, because they're special players and they can win games for you off their own boot."

As for Rioli's current state of fitness?

"Well he had a big puffer jacket on the other day (when I saw him), so I was hoping that was just the jacket," Shuey said with a laugh.

"Nah he's fine. He's been training hard. The whole two years he was out he was committed to coming back ready to go, whenever that was."

Rioli's future hung in the balance last month after it emerged he had been caught with cannabis at a Darwin airport in April, and then failed to inform West Coast about the incident.

The Eagles decided to give Rioli another chance, and Shuey said his premiership teammate has been welcomed back with open arms.

"What's important is what he does from here on in," Shuey said.

"What happened in the past we've dealt with, we've spoken with him and he understands the reality of the whole thing.

"He's remorseful. He regrets what's happened but that's OK and we've welcomed him back with open arms."

Think. Is this a bet you really want to place?

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au