Willie Rioli's long-awaited return to the AFL stage will be extended, with the premiership forward suffering a hamstring complaint in the build up to this weekend's match against Brisbane.
Rioli was set to play his first game in 717 days after being suspended by the league for tampering with a urine sample during a drug test.
Having not played since 2019, Rioli's selection was set to see celebration from across the AFL community.
Unfortunately, in a blow to the 26-year-old's hopes of making a comeback this week against the Lions, Eagles coach Adam Simpson revealed Rioli won't be fit to feature in Round 23.
“Unfortunately Willie has a tight hamstring. He won’t be available for AFL or WAFL. We can’t play him, and we’re disappointed that he can’t play, as is he.”
Simpson on Willie Rioli pic.twitter.com/sd9J4IgTMq
— West Coast Eagles (@WestCoastEagles) August 19, 2021
With the Eagles an outsider to make finals, the setback will likely mean Rioli won't feature in the AFL until next season.
Speaking earlier this week on his comeback, Rioli spoke on the challenges he had faced in the time taken to return to the club.
“I get nervous before every game. I guess this will be more a relief for me. It will probably be surreal to me also.
“It will mean a lot, not only to me, but my family who have been through these hard times with me. It will mean the world.
“It’s been mentally challenging. Luckily enough, I had great family support back home. I guess waiting for the outcome was the hardest part, not knowing what my future was looking like.
“(Club support) was really important. They kept my dream alive of playing AFL football again. Everyone around the club stuck by me and believed in me.”
The Eagles will confirm their Round 23 lineup at 6:20 on Thursday.
