Willie Rioli Criticizes Hawthorn in Deleted Post

Port Adelaide's Willie Rioli has intensified his feud with Hawthorn following a 30-point victory in the Gather Round clash, by posting a now-deleted Instagram story expressing his deep-seated hatred for the club. In the post, Rioli referenced the club's treatment of his late father, Willie Snr, and his cousin, Cyril Rioli, who was involved in a legal battle with Hawthorn over racism allegations. His comments, which included the phrase 'Play with fire, you’re gonna get burnt,' highlighted that his animosity extends beyond recent incidents on the field. The clash included Rioli taunting Hawthorn player Changkuoth Jiath, leading to a physical altercation that underscored the rivalry. Rioli's post drew significant attention before it was removed, with Port Adelaide reportedly addressing the situation internally. The ongoing tension between the two clubs reflects a larger narrative of personal grievances and competitive intensity in the AFL.