Willie Rioli is poised to make his AFL return against the Brisbane Lions with West Coast confirming the premiership forward is eligible for selection after completing his doping ban.
Rioli was provisionally suspended before the 2019 semi-final against Geelong and in March this year was handed a two-year backdated ban, which ends on Friday, for twice substituting urine during a doping test.
“It has been a long journey back but I’m grateful for it,” Rioli told the club’s website.
“It was mentally challenging; luckily enough I had great family support back home that helped pass the time.
“Waiting for the outcome was the hardest part, not knowing what my future was looking like.”
Rioli returned to training with his Eagles teammates in June.
If named to face Brisbane on Saturday, he will play his first AFL game since September 5, 2019.
“It was good to come back and do what I love doing, that’s to play footy,” he said.
“It’s good to be back in the club environment.
“There’s a few of the boys who I have become really close to and are like family to me now.
“The club is like a sanctuary and safe place for me.
“I get nervous every game, but this will be more of a relief.
“It will probably be surreal to me. It will mean a lot, not only to me, but to my family who have been through the hard times.”
On Sunday, coach Adam Simpson said he was considering whether to call on Rioli for West Coast’s must-win clash with the Lions – although the 26-year-old could instead play in the WAFL or be held back until 2022.
The Eagles sit ninth, behind Essendon due to an inferior percentage.
“He’s done nothing but impress us and the players the way he’s gone about it,” Simpson said.
“We’ll have to weigh it all up and see how we go.
“He’s training well and he’s had a really good block of fitness, so we’ll see how we go.”
Seymorebutts
Guest
Mate, training and playing are not the same thing. Have you ever had a long layoff from footy , say 18 months due to a knee reconstruction and come back? For the first couple of games you are all at sea even in lower grades. Give Willy a run in the local league for sure, ... but I cant see how is going to be anything other than a liability at the top level until he gets half a dozen games under his belt. Frankly, He should start next year in the WAFL well.. Part of the problem this year has been throwing in guys who are underdone, resulting in us getting overrun in the last quarters. We all want to see the guy succeed at the highest level, but its not all about Willie.. there are 40 other guys who have been busting their a$% every week since he has been out.. its not right to just parachute him back in. Let him earn his spot like everybody else.
nics
Roar Rookie
No idea how we beat Carlton or broke Richmond - that kind of season.
Gerry
Roar Rookie
Nah totally disagree way too good for WAFL game he’s been training hard with the lads for a while. Why play date we are not making finals nothing to lose. We have already lost to the bottom team and the Dockers under strength side. What else can be worse?
Nico
Roar Rookie
:laughing:
Nico
Roar Rookie
Soooooo exciting! Hope he makes the team. At last, something to smile about.
Gerry
Roar Rookie
For goodness sake put him in what have we got to lose. How many underdone retuning stars have we played. This guy is simply magical. Simpson will be a fool not to play him . Get it done.
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
You don't see the upside,do you. If by a miracle the Eagles win and Essendon and GWS don't, they'll be in the eight. They'll probably do no damage but it's a great run of finals appearances. Rioli may make a difference or not. I want to see him play.
nics
Roar Rookie
He flies high for sure :laughing:
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Haha, Nics l hope he plays mate & gets 3 Brownlow votes :thumbup:
nics
Roar Rookie
Cynical ploy on the club's part to make sure some Eagles fans watch the game (rather than out of a macabre curiosity). As long as he remembers that when doing a pee sample, water sucks, but gatorade sucks more.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Nothing wrong with being High on life :stoked:
pablocruz
Roar Rookie
Don't make a hash of it, Willie.
Chris Lewis
Roar Guru
When you have another drug test Willie, just go with the flow.
Seymorebutts
Guest
Surely he should have a game in the WAFL first? Hes been out for literally years.. it will take him a while to get his timing etc back. I cant imagine he has enough time to be ready for finals even if the Eagles make it. But a run in the WAFL cant hurt, at least he will know how far of the pace he really is. 26 years of age, hasnt played for two years.. his best is probably already behind him now unfortunately.
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
Good Luck Willie. Good to see you finally get another chance.#420 :silly: