Latest news with #DavidKoch
Daily Mail
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Western Bulldogs AFL coach Luke Beveridge promises he'll get revenge after David Koch made a shocking remark about his team
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has accused Port Adelaide of making excuses for Willie Rioli's threatening behaviour and warned Power chairman David Koch of retribution over his sledging claim. Koch has claimed Rioli was subjected to 'cultural disrespect' from Bulldogs players during their round-eight fixture, which led to the forward striking Bailey Dale off the ball. After the game, Rioli sent a threatening message to Dale through one of his Bulldogs teammates. Rioli was initially cleared by the AFL but was later suspended for one match after it emerged he had also threatened Essendon and Geelong players on the field. Rioli did not claim he was subjected to racism, but Koch said the 29-year-old had been provoked. 'It was, if you like, cultural disrespect during the game, referring to where he had come from, community habits and things like that,' Koch told FIVEaa radio on Thursday. 'As an industry, we have to be aware of that. 'And as I have said, it's no excuse for sending a private message after the game, but it helps us understand the build-up and frustrations. 'That's where the reactions come from.' On Friday, Beveridge launched a staunch defence of his players and club when asked by reporters to respond to Koch's comments. 'I can tell you as a matter of fact that the comments weren't culturally insensitive,' Beveridge said. 'It surprises me that he (Koch) would insinuate or accuse our players of going down that track. 'Especially our football club and our people, high character, we'd never disrespect First Nations people in our language or our actions.' Beveridge accused Koch of 'enabling' Rioli and set the tone for an explosive encounter next time the clubs meet. 'I said at the time Willie's made a mistake, we'll forgive and we'll move on and he'll learn from it,' Beveridge said. 'Will he learn from it if his own club's enabling him by making excuses for him? Because it didn't happen. 'There's always a little bit of edginess in the way players talk to each other, but our players would never say anything to an Indigenous player that's culturally insensitive. 'But we won't ask for an apology, we'll just obviously remember it for next time.' Beveridge said he had not spoken to anyone from Port Adelaide about Koch's accusations and did not expect any further action from the AFL. He also backed All-Australian defender Dale. 'Bailey Dale, who wouldn't agitate a milkshake, he's an outstanding player but he's not an adversarial, front-foot type of player. He plays football,' Beveridge said. 'He wanted to move on extremely quickly because he was surprised by what had happened. 'We thought it was behind us. I'm sure the AFL feel the same, so I'm not sure why that angle has come up after the fact now. 'Maybe it's because Willie's back playing this week, I don't know.' Rioli sat out Port's defeat to Adelaide last week and will return in their clash with Geelong on Saturday. Earlier this week, Power coach Ken Hinkley said he hoped the fresh spotlight on racism in the AFL could be a watershed moment for the code. Hinkley said the Rioli case had found a positive by triggering wider, sometimes uncomfortable, conversations about AFL Indigenous issues.
News.com.au
16-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Luke Beveridge has issued a warning to Port chairman David Koch over allegations about Bulldogs players sledging
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has shot down David Koch's claims his players were at all to blame for Willie Rioli's post-game threats issuing a warning to the Port Adelaide chairman and declaring his club will 'remember it for next time'. Setting the scene for a fiery rematch when the teams next meet in 2026, Beveridge took exception to Koch's claims Bulldogs players made 'culturally insensitive' remarks during the round 8 smashing in Ballarat, after which Rioli's threats to Bailey Dale were revealed. Rioli was given a one-match suspension by the AFL after previous incidents of a similar nature came to light, and Power chairman Koch said comments from other players, including the Bulldogs, played a part in the 'build-up and frustrations'. But on Friday Beveridge was having none of it, and even said Koch was 'enabling' Rioli and his behaviour. 'I can tell you as a matter of fact that the comments weren't culturally insensitive,' Beveridge said. 'It surprises me that he (Koch) would insinuate or accuse our players of going down that track. 'Especially our football club and our people, high character, we'd never disrespect First Nations people in our language or our actions.' 'I said at the time Willie's made a mistake, we'll forgive and we'll move on and he'll learn from it. 'Will he learn from it if his own club's enabling him by making excuses for him? 'There's always a little bit of edginess in the way players talk to each other, but our players would never say anything to an Indigenous player that's culturally insensitive. 'But we won't ask for an apology, we'll just obviously remember it for next time.' Rioli is back in action this week against Geelong, one of the teams he was accused of behaving improperly against in 2024. But Beveridge reiterated his players, including Dale, would not engage in any of the on-field behaviour Koch accused them of. 'Bailey Dale, who wouldn't agitate a milkshake, he's an outstanding player but he's not an adversarial, front-foot type of player. He plays football,' Beveridge said. 'He wanted to move on extremely quickly because he was surprised by what had happened. 'We thought it was behind us. I'm sure the AFL feel the same, so I'm not sure why that angle has come up after the fact now. 'Maybe it's because Willie's back playing this week, I don't know.'
News.com.au
09-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley says Willie Rioli ban has put players on notice over sledging
Port Adelaide Ken Hinkley says the AFL has issued a 'warning' and opposition players 'won't go there' when it comes to sledging Willie Rioli in the wake of his one-match ban for delivering on and off-field threats to three opponents in the past 12 months. Rioli withdrew from Saturday's showdown against the Adelaide Crows in the wake of an AFL investigation that landed on the ban having initially issued just a warning after revelations he sent a message to Western Bulldogs defender Bailey Dale warning him to be careful in Darwin this week. The AFL became aware of multiple instances involving the small forward who declared it was 'best for me and the team that I take the break'. Port chairman David Koch declared the club was 'incredibly angry' with Rioli but pointed to regular racial abuse as a base for his reactions. He could return for next week's clash with Geelong, confronting Cats star Brad Close, who was reportedly the victim of an on-field threat in 2024. With that in mind, Hinkley, who conceded Rioli had to 'get better' with his on-field behaviour and limited his involvement in the saga to 'giving care to Willie', cautioned against any opponents taking his player on given the fallout this week. 'I would doubt that anyone would go there with the stance the AFL has put in place around comments said on the field,' Hinkley said at his weekly press conference, which was moved to Friday as the club dealt with the Rioli situation. 'I just don't think you would go there. Willie will get our support like he always has and Willie also has to learn. He knows that and he has publicly said that, he has to get better.' Hinkley said he felt like the penalty was a 'warning' to players but also that he wasn't sure where the 'boundaries are' when it comes to player interactions. 'It's going to be some area of some concern for the AFL,' he said. Hinkley said he was fully supportive of the position having left the handling of the situation to his football boss, Chris Davies. 'I have been in this job for a long period of time and continually and do see and hear different things that get done and said,' he said. 'All I want to do is say I fully support our club's position, I couldn't support it any stronger.' Rioli was absent from Port's captain's run on Friday and Hinkley said the forward had to 'own the consequences' of his actions, and a potential return against Geelong was not at the forefront of his mind ahead of the clash with the Crows. 'From my point of view the most important thing is Willie is OK and he's under control,' he said. 'We will support him and put his arms around him. He made a mistake, he knows that and he owns that and the consequences are known to everyone, so we move forward knowing that we are going to look after Willie.'
Daily Mail
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
AFL backflips on Willie Rioli threat scandal as league chiefs break silence after footy's most under-fire star makes bombshell move
The AFL has handed Willie Rioli a one-match ban after the Port Adelaide star made himself unavailable for selection for their Showdown clash against the Crows on Saturday night. The league had copped criticism from some within the footy world this week, including St Kilda great Nick Riewoldt, for initially choosing not to punish the Power forward for an alleged string of threats to other players. On Monday, it came to light that Rioli had sent a threatening message to Bulldogs star Bailey Dale following Port's defeat by the Dogs over the weekend. The following day, multiple other allegations surfaced, claiming that the 29-year-old former West Coast Eagles star had threatened a Geelong player last season and an Essendon player during the 2025 campaign. Power president David Koch had claimed that the club were furious with Rioli over the matter, while Chris Davies, the club's general manager, did not condone the threats but urged people not to make comment without full knowledge of the situation. In light of the backlash this week, Riolie told the club on Thursday that he was not mentally in a position to feature in the Showdown clash on Saturday night at the Adelaide Oval. The AFL later released a statement, saying they were suspending Rioli for one game and requiring him to participate in 'education on respectful/non-violent language and conduct'. The 29-year-old initially escaped any sanction from the AFL despite sending an intimidating message about Bailey Dale to one of the Western Bulldogs defenders' teammates, the day after a heated match in Ballarat on Saturday. But the AFL decided to probe further after reports emerged of two verbal threats allegedly made by Rioli to a Geelong and an Essendon player. Willie Rioli has received a one-match suspension for his recent conduct and earlier incidents that involved physical threats against other players. 'The AFL has today sanctioned Port Adelaide player Willie Rioli with a one-match suspension in connection with his recent conduct and earlier incidents that involved physical threats against other players,' the AFL's statement read. 'Following last weekend's match against the Western Bulldogs, Rioli sent a message to a Western Bulldogs' team-mate of Bailey Dale, threatening Dale. 'Dale was made aware of the matter but having received an apology and assurances from Rioli, he did not seek any further action be taken. Having looked into the matter and after speaking with both Port Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs, the AFL determined in all the circumstances not to take any action in what was considered an isolated incident at the time.' The AFL added that it had investigated two other incidents that were exposed on Tuesday, alleging Rioli had threatened a Geelong player and an Essendon star. 'In more recent days, and after the above determination, it has been revealed that Rioli had previously made threats to other players in two previous incidents. 'The AFL has investigated those incidents and has spoken to all players and clubs involved over the last 24 hours and the AFL notes the cooperation from all parties, including Rioli who made admissions in relation to his conduct. The league added that Rioli will continue to be given wellbeing and support. 'Given the cumulative number and nature of the incidents involving Rioli and other players, the AFL has revisited its earlier decision, and it has determined it is appropriate that: 1 - Rioli receives a one match suspension and is not able to play in this weekend's Round Nine match against the Adelaide Crows; and 2 - Rioli participates as soon as possible in education on respectful / non-violent language and conduct to be prescribed by the AFL,' the statement adds.' Rioli and Port football boss Chris Davies met with AFL officials ahead of the Power's training session on Wednesday. But Rioli could realistically return for Port's match against Geelong on May 17 as he would have technically served the AFL's one-match ban. 'We understand in a competitive and at times combative environment, there are exchanges between players on the field, but they still need to be in the realms of respect and sportsmanship and that applies to everyone,' AFL general counsel Stephen Meade said. After receiving the additional information about further threats, we investigated and determined Rioli should not be eligible to play this week and that he undertakes further education around a pattern of behaviour we don't want to see in any part of our game - on or off the field. 'Respect for each other, whether players, coaches, or fans, is the cornerstone of our AFL community and it is a reminder for everyone involved to treat each other with respect.' Rioli apologised privately to Dale on Monday and again publicly on Thursday. 'With all the stress from this week, I feel it's best for me and the team that I take a break,' Rioli said via a statement from Port. 'I again acknowledge that my actions after last weekend's game against the Bulldogs were totally unacceptable. 'I say things from time to time on the footy field in the heat of the moment that I wish I didn't and I'm continuing to work with the club on managing this moving forward. 'It's not in my true nature or character to say those things and I apologise for any distress I cause to individuals or their families. 'I want to thank the Port Adelaide Football Club and all of my teammates and coaches for their support.' On Wednesday, Port president David Koch said the club was 'incredibly angry' about the situation. 'We've talked pretty sternly to Willie about it and said it's just not on,' Koch told 5AA Radio. 'I'm making absolutely no excuse for Willie's private message after the game. 'But you can't mix on-field and off-field comments or it will lead to places people don't want to go.' After fronting the media on Wednesday, in place of coach Ken Hinkley, Davies will again speak to reporters on Thursday night at Alberton.
Daily Mail
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Willie Rioli: Footy's most under-fire star makes bombshell move after scandal over his threatening text to a rival AFL player exploded
Under-fire footy star Willie Rioli won't play in the Showdown against the Crows on Saturday after the Port Adelaide forward was investigated for threats to multiple rival players. The 29-year-old escaped sanction from the AFL despite sending an intimidating message about Bailey Dale to one of the Western Bulldogs defender's teammates, the day after a heated match in Ballarat last Saturday. But the AFL decided to probe further after reports emerged of two verbal threats allegedly made by Rioli to a Geelong and an Essendon player. Rioli and Port football boss Chris Davies met with AFL officials ahead of the Power's training session on Wednesday. He won't face the Crows at Adelaide Oval, pulling out of the game for his own welfare as he deals with the fallout from the week. On Wednesday, Port president David Koch said the club was 'incredibly angry' about the situation. 'We've talked pretty sternly to Willie about it and said it's just not on,' Koch told 5AA Radio. 'I'm making absolutely no excuse for Willie's private message after the game. 'But you can't mix on-field and off-field comments or it will lead to places people don't want to go.' It comes as former AFL star Nick Riewoldt slammed the league for inconsistencies in the way it penalises players and has questioned the claim they were unaware of other threats made by Rioli. Riewoldt described the situation as 'another embarrassment' for footy boss Laura Kane. The league's failure to fine or suspend Rioli has infuriated fans, who blasted the sport's bosses for being weak and treating the Port Adelaide star with kid gloves. Respected footy commentator Gerard Whateley also felt the AFL's lack of action was deplorable. 'I can't quite fathom where the AFL has landed here....(for me) they are in breach of community standards,' Whateley said on Fox Footy. 'The football public is unhappy to say the (AFL) have pulled up to punish Osama bin Laden masks at an off-season party and flipping the bird, which presumably is done for the likelihood to incite. 'They seem to have just completely missed the gravity of a player (Rioli) sending a message to a rival player's teammate threatening (him) the day after a game, which I think, to the common man is going well, that's not only in breach of footy standards, that's borderline in breach of the law.' Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge earlier this week said he wasn't surprised by the AFL's decision not to sanction Rioli. 'Obviously, Willie has made a mistake, he'll learn from it – and we are all OK with that,' he said. 'Let's just make sure it doesn't happen again.'
