Port Adelaide Forward Willie Rioli Announces AFL Retirement Amid Player Delistings

Willie Rioli, a 30-year-old forward for Port Adelaide and a former West Coast premiership player, has announced his retirement from AFL after playing 109 games across two clubs and kicking 151 goals. Rioli expressed that he has given all he can to the game at the highest level and believes it is time to give more opportunities to younger forwards like Joe Berry and Tom Cochrane, whom he sees as the future of Port Adelaide. His retirement follows a controversial 2025 season where he faced incidents including a social media ban and backlash related to cultural sensitivity issues. Port Adelaide also delisted five other players as part of a team transition under new head coach Josh Carr. Rioli thanked both clubs, Glenelg Football Club, and fans for their support, and looks forward to supporting the next generation of First Nations players. His decision was announced shortly after Port Adelaide's recent exit meetings and rounds off a career that included an 18-month suspension in 2019 for a doping violation.