'We don't react to media criticism': AFL boss defends response to Rioli saga ahead of star's return

AFL boss Andrew Dillon has broken the league's silence on the recent Willie Rioli saga, defending its handling of the matter.

Speaking to media in Darwin to mark the start of Indigenous round, Dillon insisted the league didn't bow to public pressure after eventually suspending the Power forward.

"We made a decision earlier in the week without knowledge of the previous incidents, when all that information came to light the different decision was laid down looking at it all in totality," he said.

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"We don't react to media criticism. If we did that, we'd be changing our minds every single day."

Rioli was initially cleared after it had emerged he threatened a Bulldogs player online, before being suspended for one match after two previous incidents came to light.

Dillon said he hasn't spoken to the Port Adelaide forward, but has talked to the club about the saga.

"I haven't spoken to Willie directly, I've had a number of conversations with senior people at Port Adelaide to make sure he's getting the support he has," he said.

The controversy surrounding Rioli has somewhat overshadowed the launch of Sir Doug Nicholls Round, as other Indigenous players shared their own experiences of racism.

"I used to cop a bit," St Kilda star Brad Hill said.

Rioli is expected to return to action on Saturday, but it remains to be seen whether Geelong players will refrain from sledging in an attempt to rattle him.

This article was produced with the assistance of 9ExPress.