JUNIOR RIOLI will miss Port Adelaide’s game against Carlton next week, coach Ken Hinkley has advised.

Rioli will travel home to Darwin for a special service to mark the anniversary of his father’s passing.

The skilful forward is expected to return to Adelaide and resume training following the ceremony.

Speaking after Port Adelaide’s win over the Gold Coast on Saturday night, Hinkley explained Rioli had the full support of the club to be with his family.

“Junior has got a really special moment for his family,” Hinkley said. “It’s his father’s anniversary and he needs to be back in Darwin. He’s got the full support of us as a football club.

“I think everyone can appreciate that it means an awful lot to him and his family and it’s important for him to be there.

“We’ll miss him next week but it was nice to have him back out there playing footy tonight and you could see he was having some fun.”

The 28-year-old booted two goals from ten disposals on his return to the side, as the Power beat the Suns by 33 points at Adelaide Oval.