page_title: Cyril Rioli
section_title: AFL career (2008–2018)
hierarchical_section_title: Cyril Rioli / AFL career (2008–2018)
caption_attribution_description: Cyril Rioli perfect balance
context_page_description: Cyril Rioli is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played for the Hawthorn Football Club in the Australian Football League. Rioli was a member of four premierships teams and the Norm Smith Medallist from the 2015 AFL Grand Final.
  Primarily a forward pocket, Rioli also spent time in the midfield, although injuries limited his ability to spend long periods in the midfield. Rioli was noted for not being a particularly high-possession player, and instead using his few possessions efficiently.
context_section_description: Just a few days after being drafted by the Hawks, Rioli attended the club's trek of the Kokoda Track. He covered 90% of his first pre-season schedule for the club; a very high volume of work for a first-year player according to the head fitness coach Andrew Russell. Russell said, "Nobody that I worked with in the last four years at Hawthorn did that much in their first pre-season."
  Rioli made his AFL debut in Hawthorn's defeat of the Melbourne Football Club at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in round one 2008. He built a reputation around his ability to chase and pressure the opposition as they attempted to rebound from the forward line. In round six, he was nominated for the AFL Rising Star Award, after his display against Richmond, in which he received a nomination for Goal of the Year. Rioli appeared in every game in his debut season, including an inspirational performance in Hawthorn's defeat of Geelong in the 2008 AFL Grand Final. His impact on the game was described as instrumental as Hawthorn defeated Geelong, in the club's first premiership since 1991. Rioli assisted in a couple of first quarter goals and kicked two goals for himself in the final, achieving a total of 10 possessions in the game.  After the game Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson said, "We knew Cyril was a beauty, but you just never anticipate that they're going to play every game of the season and be able to play in a grand final." With nothing but praise for Rioli, Clarkson also made mention of his achievements in 2008, "He's got a premiership medal now, but he's been in contention for mark of the year, goal of the year and the rising star and he's been very, very consistent. He's a 15-possession, five-tackle a game player with a goal or two – he's been a sensational acquisition to our club.
  Rioli finished second overall in the 2008 AFL Rising Star Award, the award was won by Fremantle's Rhys Palmer with 44 votes, ahead of Rioli on 37.
  In February 2009, Rioli was selected for the Indigenous All-Stars that played a pre-season match against the Adelaide Football Club. Following his successful debut season and promising start to his second, he was compared to Gary Ablett Jr., who also began his career as a small forward with the potential to become a "dominant, match-winning midfielder". This was due to the "sublime skills" he displays, and his "ability to make something out of nothing with vision and an instinct for the game." Former footballer and journalist Garry Lyon said in an article for The Age, that when Rioli is ready to take on a greater workload in the midfield, will be determined by his physical and aerobic capacity. Rioli's greatest challenge in the coming 12 months being to incorporate the "gut" running into his game that the likes of Ablett, Chris Judd, Lenny Hayes and Brett Kirk have mastered.
  In May, journalist Mike Sheahan proclaimed that Rioli's exploits on the field were being overlooked. He said while Hawthorn as a club was being analysed and dissected, Rioli wasn't getting the recognition he deserved. According to Champion Data, only captain Sam Mitchell had been more effective for Hawthorn at this time in the year. Following 36 consecutive games after being drafted, Rioli tore his hamstring in round 11 2009 against the Sydney Swans. Missing his first regular season match in round 12, he spent a month on the sidelines before returning against North Melbourne in round 15. The Hawks were defeated in all three games he missed. His return was described as a "big boost" for Hawthorn's last-ditch bid to revive its season, after many commentators said the club was suffering a "premiership hangover". Following his return, it was announced that Rioli had re-signed with Hawthorn for a further three years. Hawthorn eventually faltered in the final round of the home and away season, losing to Essendon by 17 points. Thus, failing to qualify for the finals. Rioli's season was however, still seen as impressive. In the AFL website's end of year review, it was predicted that he will be considered an elite AFL player in the coming years.
  Appro
caption: Rioli in 2011
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