WAFL 2025: The bold move South Fremantle are making to try to sign former West Coast forward Willie Rioli

Senior South Fremantle officials will travel to Darwin next month as they ramp up their pursuit to sign West Coast premiership star Willie Rioli. As revealed by The West Australian in October, the reigning WAFL premiers are hopeful of landing Rioli for next season after he retired from Port Adelaide this year having kicked 151 goals in 109 AFL matches. It is understood South Fremantle chief executive Cam Britt and football boss Charlie Burke will head to the Northern Territory after Christmas to meet with Rioli, who is playing for the Tiwi Bombers in the Northern Territory Football League. Rioli is one of 12 family members to have played for the Bulldogs, having kicked 27 goals in eight colts appearances in 2013, as well as 10 goals in three reserves matches before he moved and eventually landed at Glenelg in South Australia. His father Willie Sr played 48 games and kicked 53 goals for South Fremantle in two separate stints (1989-1990 and 1994) before he was recruited to Hawthorn. Because Rioli played colts for South Fremantle, he is classified as a one-point player under the WAFL player point system, which would allow the club to recruit the mercurial forward despite having a squeeze on points after winning the 2025 premiership. The 30-year-old played 51 games for the Eagles including a pivotal role the 2018 premiership after he was drafted with pick No.52 in the 2016 from Glenelg. Rioli was traded to Port Adelaide in 2022 and suited up for the Power in 58 games for 91 goals before he retired at the end of this season. He has since played five games for the Tiwi Bombers, kicking nine goals in that time including three against the Wanderers in round seven. Britt is on the board at the Bombers and was involved in Rioli’s return to football at the top end. South Fremantle are coming off their 15th league premiership after they defeated East Perth by two points in this year’s decider at Optus Stadium back in September. Sandover medallist Haiden Schloithe announced his retirement after the match alongside utility Zac Strom and former skipper Dylan Main. Meanwhile, defender Toby McQuilkin will miss this year as he goes travelling, while premiership midfielder Jaxon Artemis has joined Tasmania’s VFL side as he chases his AFL dream. They have only added Aiden Hall so far for next season, with the 23-year-old returning after a short stint at Claremont.