The West Coast Eagles are devastated at the sudden death of Willie Rioli Snr, father of Willie Rioli Jnr, in the Northern Territory.

The Rioli family has been an intrinsic part of our club since Willie Jnr joined us in 2017 and the coaches, players, staff and Board are deeply saddened by the sudden death of Willie Snr.

Willie Jnr will take indefinite leave to join his family in the Northern Territory and our club will do everything possible to support him. We extend our love and condolences to Willie, his mother Georgina and the extended Rioli family.

The club also asks that the family’s privacy be respected at this extremely distressing time.