Footy star Willie Rioli sent a threatening text to a rival player after their match - and what the AFL did next has left fans FURIOUS

Footy fans have expressed significant shock about the lack of sanctions given to Port Adelaide's Willie Rioli for sending a threatening message to a Western Bulldogs player about teammate Bailey Dale.

Rioli went unpunished after an investigation by the AFL after he sent an intimidating text about Dale to one of his teammates after the team's big win over the Power in Ballarat.

Rioli allegedly wrote that he has mates in Darwin and Dale should be wary of leaving his hotel room when his team play in the Northern Territory capital this Saturday.

The footy star has since apologised to Dale for sending the text - and the AFL, and both clubs, feel that no further action should be taken on the matter.

The AFL letting Rioli off with nothing more than a warning has prompted a chorus of criticism from footy fans who have taken issue with the league's confusing disciplinary standards.

'You get weeks these days for pushing an opponent, or dressing up for Mad Monday but nothing for sending threatening messages to another player, what a circus,' posted one X user.

'So let me get this straight, threaten someone and it's ok but give someone the finger and you get fined? Make it make sense,' replied another.

'Really disappointed with the @AFL's response to the Willie Rioli incident. Weak response from a weak organisation. Threatening someone's life, whether directly or indirectly, should carry an automatic 12 month minimum ban. Absolute joke of a response,' posted a third.

Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said Dale was 'OK', but was keen to put the matter behind him.

'It's just one of those things where you wake up and all of a sudden you're part of a storyline, and you didn't think you would be, and the quicker it's in the rear-vision mirror, the better for him,' Beveridge said on Tuesday.

The league put out a brief statement, saying it had 'reminded both clubs to ensure any communications remain respectful'.

Beveridge said he was 'not surprised' the AFL had not sanctioned the West Coast premiership player.

'Obviously Willie's made a mistake. He'll learn from it, and we're all OK with that,' he said.

'Discretion there is important, and I think that's how both clubs are treating it.

'Let's just learn from it and move on and make sure it doesn't happen again.'

Port responded to the incident on Monday night, saying the 'matter has now been resolved privately'.

Rioli can accept a $1000 fine for striking Dale off the ball in the third term of Saturday's match.

Along with the private message, Rioli also posted on Instagram, expressing his frustration about being financially penalised.

Last month Rioli posted on Instagram after Port's emotion-charged win over Hawthorn.

Rioli spoke of his hatred for the Hawks, and the backlash prompted him to briefly take leave from the club.