West Coast Eagles’ Willie Rioli gets backdated two-year AFL ban after long anti-doping review

West Coast Eagles’ forward Willie Rioli has been hit with a two-year suspension for doping offences in 2019.

Rioli will be eligible to return to football for the West Coast Eagles this season, after the AFL confirmed the premiership player’s suspension had been backdated.

Rioli was provisionally suspended during the 2019 AFL finals campaign after allegedly tampering with the urine sample, and tested positive to cannabis a fortnight later.

He was found guilty of three breaches of the AFL’s anti-doping code, two relating to tampering with a urine sample and one for the use of cannabis.

The anti-doping tribunal determined the two-year suspension would begin from the date of his first sample on August 20, 2019, meaning he could be free to play in the Eagles’ last home and away game in 2021.

He will be eligible to train with West Coast from June 20.

In a statement, the club said the tribunal took into account Rioli’s personal circumstances, the fact he was not seeking to gain a competitive advantage, and that his breach was certain to be detected.

It said Rioli had also admitted to the violations.

Rioli not a certainty to play in 2021: Nisbett

At a media conference after the penalty was announced, West Coast Eagles chief executive officer Trevor Nisbett described the suspension as a “fair compromise”, and said the players were “delighted” for Rioli.

“We would have liked less so that Willie can get back to training earlier and so forth, but in saying that I think the tribunal was fair in their assessment,” Mr Nisbett said.

But he expressed frustration at the length of time it took for a decision to be made.

“It just took too long from the time all the documentation was submitted, from the time the tribunal was held to the time the final verdict is given,” he said.

“It’s 18 months and I think that’s unfair on any individual regardless of what they’ve done, and in Willie’s case he admitted guilt, he admitted what he had done and is extremely remorseful for that.”

Mr Nisbett said the Eagles would consider whether he would be selected to play when he becomes eligible to return in August.

“This has always been about his welfare. I think some people think ‘great, he might be back by the end of the year’ — he may not be, he may not be ready and we may not even push that angle,” he said.

“If he’s well, if he’s looking like he really wants to play and get back into footy as quickly as possible I’m sure he’ll be in the mix come August if we’re still in the running.”

Rioli ‘sorry for letting people down’

Rioli said it had been a difficult period and he was looking forward to playing football again.

“I am very relieved that this long process has now ended,” he said in a statement.

“The stress of waiting for the outcome over a long period of time has been difficult for me and my family.

“I realise I have done wrong things and I have learnt from it.

“I am sorry for letting people down.

“I am looking forward to putting all this behind me and playing footy again soon.”

The Eagles and the AFL have previously expressed frustration with how long the process has taken, with Rioli’s wait for an outcome from the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority approaching a year and a half.

The AFL Players’ Association (AFLPA) said it was “satisfied” with the final outcome and was delighted Rioli would have the opportunity to resume his AFL career in 2021.

But AFLPA said it was concerned about the length of time it took for an outcome, and implored Sports Integrity Australia (SIA) to conduct a review of its processes to remove unnecessary delays.

“The time it takes for an athlete to progress through this system places significant strain on their mental health and wellbeing, as well as that of their family,” AFLPA said in a statement.

“Identifying ways to expedite the process and taking a more reasoned approach will also help to avoid the potential situation where an athlete is forced to serve a provisional suspension that is greater than that of the final decision of the tribunal.”

It has been 18 months since the small forward last played at AFL level.

He has been spending time with his family in the Northern Territory while awaiting the final verdict.

Rioli, 25, had faced a maximum four-year ban.