West Coast coach Adam Simpson is “absolutely” concerned about the AFL future of Willie Rioli as his ASADA drug case continues to roll on without a resolution.
The small forward finally had his case heard in December, with an AFL anti-doping tribunal expected to meet this month.
He was initially suspended after allegedly tampering with a urine sample in the lead up to West Coast’s finals run in 2019. A few weeks later he tested positive for cannabis on the day of a game.
Simpson remains frustrated by the handling of the situation by ASADA.
“We’ll deal with it. He’ll get some clarity in the next couple of weeks and we’ll go from there,” Simpson told reporters.
“It’s a really interesting conversation about what we do once we get the verdict and once we get settled and it’s finalised. We’ll work through it then.
“We’ve been pretty patient considering what’s happened. Some people say that’s on us and on him but it’s been a little bit out of whack.”
Rioli would be available for Round 1 if a ban of 18 months is handed down, given he has already served 16 months provisionally. However, a four-year ban would likely end his AFL career.
Simpson says a verdict would at the very least help Rioli get on with his life.
“That’s really important for Willie’s mental health. It’s been a long time and we’ll find out in the next couple of weeks,” Simpson said.
“All I’m thinking about is Willie’s health and wellbeing and where he is at personally. I can’t control what is happening in the courts and the proceedings. What’s done is done. Now we’re just hoping we get a good hearing and get a good outcome.”