AFL world left saddened as news about Cyril Rioli and Adam Goodes comes to light
Adam Goodes and Cyril Rioli are both set to stay away from the AFL's Indigenous round (Sir Doug Nicholls Round) this weekend, continuing a sad situation for the game. The AFL will hold its annual Indigenous celebration in Round 10, but two of the game's great Indigenous players won't be in attendance unless something drastic happens.
Goodes is an Australian of the Year and two-time Brownlow Medallist, and is still close with the Sydney Swans. But he has nothing to do with AFL head office after the way he was treated in the final years of his career.
Goodes was mercilessly booed by opposition crowds before he eventually retired in 2015, and the AFL later admitted it should have done more to stop the booing. He has been eligible for induction into the AFL Hall of Fame for several years, but appears no closer to accepting the honour.
He makes regular public appearances with his wife Natalie, and was in attendance at the SCG in 2022 when the Swans celebrated the 10-year anniversary of their 2012 premiership. But he hasn't attended any official AFL functions since walking away from the game after calling out racism.
Rioli, a Norm Smith Medallist and one of only two Indigenous players to win four premierships, is estranged from Hawthorn after the club came to a settlement with him and a number of others last year over claims of racism. He was invited to Hawthorn training in Darwin on Wednesday (he lives in the Northern Territory), but appeared to decline the invitation and wasn't sighted.
Sydney coach Dean Cox was asked about Goodes on Wednesday. "He's had as big of an impact on this football club as any player," Cox said. "I think with Adam, he still spends some time coming into the footy club, which is great to see. Everyone knows the impact he had on the game and what he stood for, which is an unbelievable thing for someone to stand up for what they believe in, and Adam did that."
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Goodes and former Sydney teammate Michael O'Loughlin run the GO Foundation. The Indigenous charity has strong links with the Swans, and Goodes is often spotted around the club.
It's a different situation for Rioli, who has stayed away from Hawthorn for a number of years and distanced himself from former teammates. Current Hawks coach Sam Mitchell played with Rioli during their run of four premierships in 2008, 2013, 2014 and 2015.
But Mitchell said Hawthorn's efforts to renew ties with Rioli so far appear to have failed. "I know Cyril's been invited and we'd love to see him, but it's one of those complicated situations where maybe he's not quite ready for that," Mitchell said ahead of Thursday's game against Gold Coast in Darwin.
"Maybe he is - I'm not exactly sure at this point. But if not, we understand there are some complications. I don't really have any more information to add to it, unfortunately."
The situation with Goodes and Rioli has left AFL fans and commentators increasingly saddened. Speaking earlier this month, Rioli's former premiership captain. Luke Hodge revealed he hasn't been able to get in contact with him for years.
It came after Rioli chose not to attend Hawthorn's centenary celebrations at the MCG. "We understand that Hawthorn and Cyril haven't come to the stage where Cyril feels comfortable back in the football club just yet," Hodge said. "But time heals all wounds and we're hoping it gets to that stage with Cyril."
Journalist Caroline Wilson said: 'There was sadness, for me, that there were some who weren't there. And I don't want to be a party pooper, but it's just so sad that one of the all-time greats, Norm Smith Medal winner, four-time premiership player, Cyril Rioli, didn't go. He was in Melbourne and he didn't go.'
Sad. I just hope one day Cyril at least chats to Buddy or Roughy
— MVO (@MarkOro51367634) May 6, 2025
Very very sad.
— Time Traveller (@love17_toni) May 6, 2025
Breaks your heart
— Ned (@nedddbinzzz) May 6, 2025
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