Latest news with #CyrilRioli
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Bombshell as Cyril Rioli texts reveal secret footy comeback plan under Alastair Clarkson at Kangaroos - just WEEKS before the Hawthorn racism saga unfolded in 2022
In the latest bombshell to engulf the AFL, it can now be revealed Hawthorn legend Cyril Rioli considered a shock return to the sport under former coach Alastair Clarkson at North Melbourne - just weeks before Hawthorn's racism saga exploded. Rioli - who won four premiership at the Hawks - spoke to his one-time mentor in August and September of 2022 about turning out for the Kangaroos the following season, once Clarkson took over at Arden St. 'Interested and keen,' was Rioli's response when asked if he would dust off his playing boots after previously retiring in 2018. Ultimately, at 33, Rioli felt he may struggle with the fitness levels required and the move never eventuated - but 'Junior' was reportedly open to joining North Melbourne in an off-field role such as an Indigenous liaison officer. Incredibly, just a few weeks later, legal action in relation to historical racism allegations aimed at Hawthorn, Clarkson, current Brisbane Lions head coach Chris Fagan and former welfare manager Jason Burt was then launched after the 2022 Grand Final. The high-profile Hawks trio all strenuously denied any wrongdoing, with an subsequent investigation from the AFL finding no adverse findings. Rioli was the lead complainant in a statement of claim against his former club which accused Clarkson, Fagan and Burt of 'separating Indigenous players from their families.' The decorated half forward flank also accused Hawthorn of 'unlawful discrimination' causing 'psychological harm', 'distress' and 'personal harm' throughout his decorated career which started in 2008 and concluded a decade later. Additionally, Rioli and his partner Shannyn Ah Sam-Rioli, said they felt 'culturally unsafe' at Hawthorn. Clarkson and Rioli have not spoken since their text exchange in 2022. With the matter set to play out in the Federal Court involving Hawthorn, the club resolved the matter on AFL draft night in November last year. A statement formally apologised to Rioli and wife Shannyn, Jermaine Miller-Lewis, Montanah-Rae Lewis, Carl Peterson and former Hawthorn Indigenous officer Leon Egan for their 'distress' at the club. 'Hawthorn accepts that the allegations were made in good faith, and has heard, respects, and accepts that they represent their truths,' part of the statement said. 'Hawthorn is sorry and apologises that the former players, partners, and their families, in either pursuing a football career, or in supporting such a person, experienced ongoing hurt and distress in their time at the club.' Clarkson experienced a mental health breakdown in 2023 and took personal leave from the Kangaroos amid the devastating fallout.
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Politics
- News.com.au
Cyril Rioli Kangaroos text message bombshell before Hawthorn scandal
Alastair Clarkson and Cyril Rioli discussed the possibility of the legendary forward making an AFL playing comeback just before the Hawthorn racism saga erupted, according to CODE Sports. A stunning story was published on Friday by Herald Sun chief football writer and Super Saturday LIVE panellist Jay Clark, who reported Clarkson and Rioli spoke both on the phone and via text message in August and September 2022, where the idea of the triple All-Australian recommencing his AFL career under Clarkson's new club was floated. Rioli, who was coached by Clarkson in the four Hawks flags, shocked the footy world midway through the 2018 season when he announced his retirement just before his 29th birthday. FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. But just over four years later – after Clarkson had left Hawthorn and was on the verge of coaching his second club – the pair weighed up the possibility of the superstar small forward playing under Clarkson at another team. In the alleged text messages, published by CODE Sports, sent across August and September 2022, Clarkson asked Rioli how he was and if he was 'still keen' on a comeback. In Rioli's reply, he said he was 'interested and keen'. Clarkson, according to the report, then sent another message to Rioli that read: 'Still waiting for your preference. Orange and charcoal or blue and white?' The colours were a reference to the Giants and Kangaroos, who were two of the AFL clubs interested in hiring Clarkson as their next coach at the time. The Roos eventually signed him in August 2022 on a five-year deal. Rioli, in the following weeks, conceded to Clarkson he'd need more time to build his fitness if he wanted to play in the AFL again, flagging the prospect of taking on an off-field role at the Kangaroos instead. A month later in AFL Grand Final week of 2022, allegations from a report into the historical treatment of First Nations players at Hawthorn – including shock claims against Clarkson and other senior Hawks figures – was published by the ABC. It was the start of a two-year legal battle, which led to Clarkson and Lions coach Chris Fagan – the Hawks' former football boss – being temporarily stood down by their new clubs. Communication between Rioli and Clarkson petered out after the allegations became public. Despite Clarkson's attempts to check in on Rioli, CODE Sports reported the duo haven't spoken since. The saga ended in late 2024 after the ex-Hawks players and their family members took a statement of claim to Federal Court before a settlement was reached and the Hawks released a statement apologising to the players, including Rioli. The allegations were never confirmed to be true or false. The accused former Hawthorn staffers, including Clarkson, strongly denied the allegations and remain significantly affected by the fallout.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'Behind the scenes': New details emerge in sad situation around Cyril Rioli
Days after Cyril Rioli and former teammate Luke Hodge were seen catching up during Hawthorn's game in Darwin there are claims the club's president is working overtime for a get-together with the Hawks great. The AFL community was extremely happy to see Hawthorn greats Hodge and Rioli share a brief encounter during last Thursday's game. Rioli declined an invitation to attend Hawthorn's training session on Wednesday in Darwin where he lives, and is still largely estranged from the club due to allegations of racism. But he did make a surprise appearance at the game on Thursday night between the Suns and Hawks. Rioli was spotted in the crowd with wife Shannyn, who were there to watch Rioli's cousins Daniel Rioli and Ben Long. The 2015 Norm Smith medallist was spotted clapping when Gold Coast scored a goal, and wasn't wearing any Hawthorn gear. A chat with Hodge delighted the AFL community after the former Hawks captain recently revealed he hadn't been able to contact Rioli for a number of years. And following the good news that surrounded their meeting, AFL reporter Tom Morris claimed Hawthorn president Andy Gowers is working behind the scenes to bring some of the former players together after recent events. "There was some great vision the other night of Cyril Rioli, the the four-time premiership champion catching up with his old captain and teammate Luke Hodge," Morris said on Channel 9's Footy Furnace. "There is some positivity that has evolved over the last few weeks regarding Hawthorn and Cyril Rioli. I am not saying that a reunion is imminent. "What I am saying, is there is work being done behind the scenes that has people quite positive that there could be some sort of get-together between Rioli and the club at some stage in the not to distance future." Hawthorn president Andy Gowers has been working exceptionally hard to bring everyone - including Cyril Rioli - back to the club. Still a way to go, but there is cautious optimism things are moving in the right direction. @9NewsMelb — Tom Morris (@tommorris32) May 18, 2025 Speaking to Channel 7 after catching up with Rioli, Hodge was thrilled to have seen his former teammate and admitted it had been a while since the pair got together. "I hadn't seen him since about 2018," Hodge told Channel 7. "I saw Mark Evans (Gold Coast SEO) talking to him so I just wanted to go over and say g'day. It was good. He's looking great and had a smile on his face. He said his cousin was flying out there running across the halfback line. It was great to see him and Shannyn over there." This is quite the development considering Hodge had previously mentioned he'd tried multiple times to get into contact with Rioli to no avail. It came after Rioli chose not to attend Hawthorn's centenary celebrations at the MCG. Rioli was one of a number of people who levelled allegations of racism against the club, which resulted in an out-of-court settlement last year. There was no determination of fault, but Hawthorn issued an apology. Rioli still hasn't been back at the club properly, but his attendance at Thursday night's game marked an important step in many people's eyes. Former teammate Jordan Lewis said on Fox Footy: 'Geez he was a good player. If you ever saw Cyril one out on the wing, you would just kick it in his direction. We would love to have seen a lot more of him." Fellow premiership teammate Shaun Burgoyne said: 'It is a great thing Cyril being back at the footy. As a Hawthorn great, Hawthorn people love seeing him involved. 'Getting back to the footy is the first step for him. We'll get him to enjoy watching Hawthorn play again. I'm not sure if it is on behalf of Hawthorn that he is here or if it is on his own accord ... but the fans still love him and it is good to see him back here watching the footy.'
Daily Mail
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Footy great Cyril Rioli spotted for the first time at a footy match since high-profile legal case
Footy great Cyril Rioli had chosen not to return to his former club, Hawthorn, for their centenary celebrations last week. But on Thursday, he was spotted for the first time back at a footy match watching on as his old club Hawthorn were beaten 16.8 [104] - 15.6 [96] by Gold Coast in what was the opening game of this weekend's Sir Doug Nicholls round at the TIO Stadium in Darwin The footy great cut a big smile and stood up to applaud Gold Coast Star Bailey Humphrey who booted a stunning goal from just off the 50m arc, as Damien Hardwick's rampant side got off to a fast start booting five majors on the bounce in the opening quarter. 'He had a fair smile on his face when Gold Coast kicked that goal,' his former team-mate Luke Hodge said, as Channel 7's cameras panned around to Rioli in the crowd. 'Yeah, he did!' Brian Taylor added, before adding: 'Whose he barracking for?!' Hodge, who had recently admitted he was gutted that Rioli had distanced himself from the Hawks during their centenary celebrations, added: 'It's great to see him back at the football, though. Very relaxed.' Bailey Humphrey even managed to impress Cyril Rioli with this goal 👏 #AFLSunsHawks | #AFLDeadly — AFL (@AFL) May 15, 2025 Hamish McLachlan, also on commentary duties, added: 'Isn't it nice to see him back? Absolutely.' At the end of the match Hodge was seen heading over to the stands where Rioli was sitting and was spotted having a catch-up with the Hawthorn great, having previously admitted he and other players had been unable to get in touch with Rioli in recent months. Speaking last week on Channel 7's The Agenda Setters, Hodge, who played with Rioli at Hawthorn, opened up on his former team-mate's fractured relationship with the club. The Hawks' celebrations were soured by the absence of Rioli, who had, last year, been the lead plaintiff in a claim against the club after he and several other indigenous players and their families had alleged that they had been subjected to a racist culture at the footy club. 'We understand that Hawthorn and Cyril haven't come to the stage where I guess Cyril feels comfortable coming back into the football club just yet,' he told the programme. 'You can only [hope], as they say, time heals all wounds, but we're just hoping that it gets to that stage with Cyril.' He added: 'I haven't been able to speak to Cyril,' he said. 'I think there's been a lot of guys... I've reached out. I went to Darwin in 2021/22 for filming, tried to call him, got his old number, then got his new number from Hilly [Bradley Hill], tried to call... didn't get anything back from him.' Things you love to see 💛🤎 — 7AFL (@7AFL) May 15, 2025 Rioli stood up to applaud Gold Coast Suns star Bailey Humphrey who booted a stunning goal from just off the 50m arc Hodge said he was saddened by Rioli's decision not to return for the anniversary celebrations, adding: 'When you go through so much with a lot of guys, you want to see all their faces.' Rioli, alongside his wife, Carl Peterson and Jermaine Miller-Lewis lodged a claim of unlawful discrimination in the Federal Court. However, the claimants and Hawthorn would release a joint statement that was published on the club's website that they had resolved the dispute with the plaintiffs receiving an undisclosed sum of money. Hawthorn apologised to the players and their families for any 'hurt and distress' experienced during their time at the footy club. Speaking on his relationship with Rioli, Hodge said: 'We left on really good terms. 'I've got messages from Cyril from when his old man was crook, saying: "Family is before football. Go and spend time with your family". 'And then when he retired, he sent me a message saying: "Thanks for all the development and all the help". 'So I've had no issues with Cyril ever, but when he sort of ran into this with Hawthorn, it's sort of like he's parted ways with everyone there. 'There's very few of the mentors that he spent a lot of time with in that forward line who haven't been able to connect with him either.' Cyril's cousin, Daniel Rioli, is currently playing for the Suns, joining up with the Gold Coast outfit in 2024. The footy star enjoyed a solid outing at the TIO Stadium, amassing five tackles, four marks and 21 disposals.
News.com.au
15-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Cyril cheers on Suns at Hawks clash!
AFL: Hawthorn Hawks legend Cyril Rioli was spotted at the Gold Coast Suns v Hawthorn Hawks clash in Darwin, seemingly cheering on the Suns.
