Forward Junior Rioli says he expects his move to Alberton to extract his best footy, to grow as a person and branch his connection out wider in the community. Image: AFL Photos.

BEING CLOSER to family and a fresh start in a supportive environment were key drivers behind Junior Rioli wanting to exchange Perth for Port Adelaide, and now he has sealed the move he is eager to make the most of it.

After six seasons and 60 goals in 51 games with West Coast, Rioli is now a Port Adelaide player with his shift confirmed as part of the mega trade which also landed the Power young star Jason Horne-Francis.

The Eagles were keen to retain Rioli – a mercurial talent with electric pace, an eye for goal and a willingness to hunt the ball and keep it in the forward line – but after three turbulent years, the 27-year-old had made up his mind that he needed a fresh start.

“I’m thankful for the opportunity,” Rioli told portadelaidefc.com.au, speaking for the first time since the trade was confirmed.

“I’m just looking forward to repaying the faith that the club has shown in me and I’m looking forward to meeting all the players and coming to such a great club in Port Adelaide.

“Playing in front of all the supporters is something I’m really looking forward to.”

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Junior Rioli interview | PTV

Junior Rioli speaks to the club about the feeling of landing at Alberton, why he chose to play at Port Adelaide and what role he sees himself playing in the side.

Rioli was in his home town of Darwin, visiting his mother in hospital when news of the trade filtered through.

He said his family – some in Adelaide – were thrilled for him.

“They were over the moon that mentally I’m happy and they’re looking forward to me playing closer to home,” Rioli elaborated.

“Family is a big thing for me. Just knowing I have family closer to Adelaide, I could see them more often during the season, which last year I had no family come down and watch.

“That was the main reason for me wanting to come to Adelaide was to be closer to family, and it’s only a two-hour flight from Darwin to Adelaide so I can hopefully get a lot more family come down.

“My mum is also really sick and she gets her hospital treatment in Adelaide so just being there and being ready if anything does happen, I can be closer to mum.

“Just the environment at Port Adelaide - it’s got that great club environment and I know if I can get there, I can get the best out of myself.”

Junior Rioli, now closer to family, believes his move to Port Adelaide will bring out his best footy. Image: AFL Photos.

It has been no secret that Rioli has had a difficult last three years – some through his own doing.

He was given a two-year ban for tampering with a urine sample and not long after his return to the AFL his father died.

It meant he played just 13 games in 2022, booting 14 goals and only showing glimpses of his best.

But time away from the game made him evaluate what was important to him. Family, community and helping the next generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people are now front of mind and so he is eager to involve himself in Port Adelaide’s industry-leading Aboriginal Programs.

“Something I always say is that every lesson should be a blessing,” Rioli reflected.

“For me to grow as a person and coming up from my environment, I wasn’t taught a lot of good things that I wish I knew.

“To come to this environment, I know I’m going to get better every day and have the right people around me that I know I can succeed at life and set my family up for the future.

“It’s something the club has said it wants to help me with and it’s probably the main reason I decided to come to Adelaide, to grow as a person and branch my connection out wider in the community.

“I want to be known for being a good person more than my football abilities.”

Scott Lycett and Junior Rioli celebrate a goal during their respective times at West Coast. Image: AFL Photos.

His football abilities are highly regarded at Port Adelaide, particular his explosiveness and knack for goal, especially following the respective retirements of fellow forwards Robbie Gray and Steven Motlop.

And while he has been known to impact through the midfield, Rioli is setting himself to play mostly as a forward after discussions with his new coach Ken Hinkley.

“Definitely that small forward-type of player,” Rioli said of Hinkley’s vision for him. “I like to pinch hit on the ball but knowing the list that we have, and looking at the list before I came, I saw a lot of players that I think will help get the best out of me playing as that mid-forward, small forward player but I do like to play more forward.

“At West Coast I had to go into the midfield more because we didn’t have a lot of midfielders but I’d like to be that small forward kicking goals. That’s where I know I’m dangerous, but if I can pinch hit on the ball if we need, I’m willing to put my hand up.

“I know there’s a few good players who play a similar role so hopefully that can leave me to be more damaging in the forward line.”

Rioli will spend some time with family in Darwin and the Tiwi Islands before shifting to Adelaide next month.

The move is set to be made easier by his connection with 2018 premiership teammate Scott Lycett and friendships with Sam Powell-Pepper and Jeremy Finlayson.