We just can’t get enough of the Cyril flashbacks! We take a look at five of the best games of his career (excluding the obvious fan favourite in September 2015...).
Read: Cyril calls time on decorated career
Round 2, 2011
Hawthorn 122 def Melbourne 77
29 disposals, six marks, four tackles, six inside 50s and one goal
Cyril Rioli was awarded three Brownlow votes for the first time in his career in this Round 2 match, as the Hawks continued their long-standing reign over the Demons. His 29 disposals would remain a career-high. With teammates Luke Hodge and Jordan Lewis on the sidelines, this effort by Cyril was one when his side needed it most.
Round 21, 2011
Hawthorn 197 def Port Adelaide 32
16 disposals, six marks, 12 tackles, four inside 50s and six goals
Cyril was exceptional in the Hawks’ 165-point demolition of Port Adelaide in this late-season 2011 clash. The win remains Hawthorn’s greatest ever winning margin and Port’s worst ever losing margin. Cyril combined with teammate Lance Franklin for 14 goals but was also just as impactful on the defensive end, laying a team-high 12 tackles.
Round 6, 2012
Hawthorn 123 def St Kilda 88
18 disposals, five tackles, four inside 50s, three clearances and six goals
Cyril was everywhere in this 2012 clash, influencing the game in every aspect. The 22-year old Cyril laid tackles, created scoring opportunities and kicked a game-high six goals. Alongside Franklin who kicked 5.6 himself, the forward pair were genuinely unstoppable. His performance earned him three Brownlow votes.
Round 18, 2012
Hawthorn 180 def Essendon 86
21 disposals, six marks, nine tackles, seven clearances, ten inside 50s and two goals
Inside the contest (21 disposals and seven clearances), in front of goal (two goals) and with his pressure (nine tackles), Rioli was an obvious choice for the best-on-ground honours in this 2012 drubbing. The 23-year old’s tackle, clearance and inside 50 numbers were all team-highs.
Round 20, 2015
Hawthorn 121 def Geelong 85
12 disposals, three clearances, four one-percenters and six goals
This was a quintessential Cyril Rioli game. Rioli had more touches than just four of his Hawks teammates, but his impact on the game merited him three Brownlow votes. Combining with Luke Hodge (four goals) and Luke Breust (three), Rioli led a potent Hawks attack which triumphed over their archrivals by six goals.
