ALASTAIR Clarkson did not imagine Hawthorn's forward focal point in its 10-point victory over Collingwood would measure in at 177cm and 80kg.
But that's what the Hawks coach got from small forward Cyril Rioli, who booted five goals from 10 disposals in a match-winning display in front of 75,880 fans at the MCG.
With Jarryd Roughead absent after having a melanoma on his lip removed – and likely to miss two or three more games as he recovers – Rioli's good form could hardly be more timely for the Hawks.
"In Roughy's absence, we needed someone to be a focal point for us; we didn't anticipate it was going to be someone underneath six foot that was going to be that guy," Clarkson said.
Rioli's five-goal haul follows the four goals fellow small forward Paul Puopolo kicked against Essendon last Saturday, continuing a versatility up forward that Clarkson said illustrated his side's ability to kick a winning score.
Rioli buzzed around the forward line and looked menacing all night but it was his role in setting up Luke Breust's match-sealing goal that most caught Clarkson's attention, rather than any of the majors he kicked himself.
With the ball in dispute on the wing, Rioli dived on the loose ball ahead of Pie opponent Marley Williams and then shot out a handball to Isaac Smith, starting a chain of possession that Breust coolly finished.
"The one touch that was most important was that dive for the loose ball on the wing in the dying stages of the game," Clarkson said.
"He's a really, really special player."
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