Banned West Coast Eagles forward Willie Rioli has on Wednesday been cleared of conviction and put on a good behaviour bond after being caught in possession of cannabis at Darwin Airport.
Rioli faced Darwin Local Court court on Wednesday following an incident in late April when the premiership Eagle was looking to fly to the Tiwi Islands from the Northern Territory.
He pleaded guilty to possessing a schedule 2 dangerous drug of less than a trafficable quantity after being stopped by a drug detection dog last month.
The court heard that Rioli "went to efforts" to conceal the 24.2 grams of cannabis heavily taped to the inside of his shorts.
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Magistrate Michael Carey placed Rioli on a 12-month $500 good behaviour.
โShame, loss, humiliation, grief. Thatโs how Mr Rioli feels,โ Rioli's lawyer Mark Thomas said during sentencing submissions.
โHe is truly ashamed and regretful for what has occurred.
โYour Honour has a trite and humble young man before you.โ
Thomas said Rioli wanted to give โa heartfelt apology to the West Coast Eagles for this offenceโ.
โHe knows he has let them down."
The 25-year-old is currently serving a two-year backdated ban after tampering with a urine sample in 2019 and is set to return to training with West Coast from June 20 and can play in the AFL from August 20.
