Willie Rioli Senior has been remembered as a football legend and community leader, and a man whose “cheeky” smile brightened the lives of those around him.
Key points:
- Around 500 people attended a memorial service in Darwin for Willie Rioli Senior
- He died suddenly of a heart attack in July at age 50
- Mr Rioli will also be commemorated at a burial at his home on the Tiwi Islands
Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this story contains the name and image of a person who has died.
The ABC has permission from Willie Rioli Senior’s family to use his name and image.
Hundreds of people filled the pews at St Mary’s Cathedral in Darwin on Wednesday to pay tribute to the father, grandfather, star footballer and respected leader in the Tiwi Islands community.
Mr Rioli died suddenly last month, age 50, of a heart attack, according to a statement from AFL Northern Territory.
Northern Territory Football league (NTFL) broadcaster Dominic McCormack remembered his friend as a man with a “cheeky smile” who “brightened all our lives.”
“He always brought great energy, experience, organisation, a big smile, lots of humility and a bit of stubbornness to all he did,” Mr McCormack said in a eulogy.
He said even Mr Rioli’s opponents could not help but like him.
“It would be rare to ever hear a bad word about him,” Mr McCormack said.
“Even while he was taking [the opposite] team apart they still loved him — they just wanted him on their side.”
Proud of his children and a lifelong love story
In his younger years, Mr McCormack said Mr Rioli would sneak out of boarding school at night to visit Georgina Vigona, the woman who would remain his wife until his death.
The couple raised three children: Nikita, Kathleen and West Coast Eagles premiership winner Willie Junior.
“He was so proud of all of his children.” Mr McCormack said.
Cousin James De Santis remembered Mr Rioli’s passion for caring for country as a ranger supervisor.
“His passion was the land, looking after country,” he said.
“[Mr Rioli] was very devoted to his land management, he’s the only reason we’re on top of feral cats.
“We’ve been together pretty much all our lives… he was a great man.”
A long and storied football career
Mr Rioli won the NTFL’s highest honour, the Nichols Medal, at just 16.
He went on to play for the South Fremantle Football Club alongside his brother Maurice Rioli.
He was drafted by Hawthorn in 1990 — the club he grew up barracking for.
When his playing career finished Mr Rioli returned to home, where he coached the Imalu Tigers to a premiership in the Tiwi Islands Football League.
He served as president of the league until his death.
Another commemoration will be held on Friday, when a burial will take place at Mr Rioli’s home community at Pirlangimpi on the Tiwi Islands.
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