Rioli Sr, 50, dies of heart attack

THE Territory’s football community is in mourning after the sudden death of Willie Rioli Sr from a heart attack on Tuesday.

His passing has rocked footy circles, both in the Territory and interstate, with his son, Willie Rioli Jr, taking indefinite leave from the West Coast Eagles to return to the Territory to be with family.

The 50-year-old, who began his senior footy career at St Mary’s at just 15 years of age, was part of the Saints’ threepeat, between 2003 and ’05, and went on to play in 201 NTFL matches – including four representative matches – kicking 262 majors, with stints at the Saints and Waratah.

However, he would later lead the Tiwi Islands Football League as president and was a vocal advocate for the sport.

St Mary’s Football Club president of 42 years, Vic Ludwig, told the NT News it was a heartbreaking turn of events.

“He was an absolute gun,” Ludwig said of the rover’s footy talent. “I’m sad to hear it. He was one of a kind.

“Unbelievable, unbelievable he was. I knew him when he was a little boy playing his first games in the juniors.

“I’ve watched him all his life.”

Rioli Sr made his senior NTFL debut with St Mary’s in the 1987/88 season – winning a premiership – and by the following year he’d earned a Nichols Medal as a 16-yearold, the youngest ever winner.

He was also a runner-up three years later to Darwin’s Jason Jones, by just two votes.

Rioli Sr would also play 46 matches for South Fremantle, kicking 53 goals, and was a member of its grand final team in 1989, before a season with Hawthorn’s reserves. After returning to the Territory in 1991, he ran out for Waratah and captained the side for three seasons, scoring two best and fairests and leading goal kicker gongs along the way.

His homecoming to St Mary’s in 2001 was glittering, playing in Saints’ threepeat.