HAWTHORN’S start to the season may have been a bit inconsistent, but for Cyril Rioli it’s been smooth sailing.
The exciting Hawk, in his eighth AFL season, has strung together 10 consecutive games for the first time since 2012.
The run of games – and the ability to get more heavily involved in training – has been a massive confidence-booster for the 25-year old, after injuries restricted him to just 27 games over the past two years.
“I’ve been injury free, so I think that’s a real plus for me personally, just getting through to the bye,” Rioli said.
“I’m feeling fully confident in my body… and how it’s been able to cope with the season so far.
“During the week, I’m getting all the workouts that I can and transferring that into the weekend.
“I’ve been doing a lot more boxing and touching on a few different things – it gives me a lot of confidence and I’m taking that out on the field.”
Rioli has been a consistent contributor for the Hawks this season, not just in terms of possessions and his output on the scoreboard, but also in terms of his tackling and constant application of pressure on the opposition.
Averaging 15.1 disposals and 3.7 tackles a game, the triple premiership player has been held goalless just once this season.
Rioli is expecting a tough challenge from the Adelaide Crows on Thursday night, in what is shaping as a crucial game for both clubs.
“I looked at the ladder the other day – it’s pretty close,” he said.
“Hopefully we can string together a few games now and put ourselves in a good spot (come finals).
“Over there it’s going to be really tough, coming up against a pretty good opponent and their home crowd."
Both clubs will be fresh from the bye, with Rioli heading to Darwin for a few days and relishing the opportunity to take a break from football.
“It was just a good mental break, getting out and doing the things I love like catching up with friends and family and getting out on the boat,” he said.
“It’s just like being on the football field for me… being out on the boat is something I’ve grown up doing and something I love very much.”
It’s back to business for Rioli, who knows just how dangerous the Crows can be.
Small forward counterpart Eddie Betts – who is fourth on the Coleman Medal table with 32 majors – and gun midfielder Patrick Dangerfield are two players Rioli knows the Hawks will need to shut down.
Just two kicks separated the sides when they last met in the back half of last season – and Rioli says it will take a team effort to stop the Crows.
“We’re certainly going to be looking out for those guys and trying to stop them, but across the board they’ve got a pretty good team and a pretty good structure,” he said.
“We’ve just got to be on our game.”
