The AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal has delivered its decision in relation to the anti-doping rule violations alleged against Willie Rioli of the West Coast Eagles Football Club. All relevant appeal rights have now expired and this outcome is final.

Based upon the evidence presented and his admissions to the violations, the Tribunal has determined that Willie breached the AFL Anti-Doping Code by the:

  1. Use of a prohibited method, namely urine substitution, on 20 August 2019
  2. Presence of carboxy-THC (cannabis) in his system on 5 September 2019
  3. Use of a prohibited method, namely urine substitution, on 5 September 2019

Pursuant to the AFL Anti-Doping Code the maximum period of ineligibility open to be imposed was 4 years. The Code allows for a reduction of what would otherwise be a four-year period of ineligibility, to a period of between two and four years based on the seriousness of the violation and the player’s degree of fault. The Tribunal determined that, pursuant to the Code, the period of ineligibility should be reduced to 24 months. This was determined by the Tribunal to be a period of ineligibility which is proportionate to the seriousness of the allegations and Willie’s degree of fault after taking into account all relevant circumstances, including Willie’s prompt admission to the violations and the absence of any intention by Willie to cheat by gaining a performance enhancing effect.

The Tribunal also found that due to there being substantial delay in the hearing process not attributable to Willie (but rather attributable to ASADA/SIA) the period of ineligibility should be backdated to 20 August 2019 (being the date of the first sample collection) as provided for in the Code.

Accordingly, pursuant to the Code, Willie will be permitted to return to training from 20 June 2021 (2 months before the expiry of the period of ineligibility) and be eligible to play for the West Coast Eagles or in any AFL affiliated competitions from 20 August 2021.

While the process in this matter has been long, it has been thorough. The AFLPA and West Coast are comfortable that Willie received a fair hearing and thanks the appointed Tribunal members for carefully considering the facts presented by Willie’s legal team.