Hawks premiership star Cyril Rioli will celebrate 10 years since his debut for the club when he takes the field against Collingwood at the MCG on Saturday night. 

Rioli burst on to the scene in 2008 to play every game for the Hawks as they famously went on to win their first premiership in 17 years. 

Recruited with the Hawks’ first round selection in the 2007 AFL National Draft at Pick 12, Rioli made his debut immediately for the club, with an impressive 14-disposal, one-goal performance against the Demons in Round 1.

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While a Rising Star nomination followed just weeks later in Round 6 – an award he eventually finished runner-up in – Rioli has gone on to become one the most iconic and universally admired Hawks of all time.

Endearing himself to fans of all clubs with his miraculous skill-level, goal sense and ability to apply immense pressure to the opposition on football’s biggest stage, Cyril has been a critical component of one of the Hawks’ most successful eras. 

A three-time All-Australian, Rioli played an instrumental part in all four of the Hawks most recent flags, including a two-goal effort against the Cats in 2008, as he played a hand in some of the game’s most crucial moments as a 19-year-old.

The 2015 premiership decider also saw Rioli play a starring role against West Coast with 18 disposals, 12 marks and two goals to lead the Hawks to their third-consecutive premiership win, with the Northern Territory product awarded his first Norm Smith Medal. 

Now a seasoned veteran of 185 games and 273 goals, Rioli could also be set to play game 200 in 2018.