Hawthornfc.com.au celebrates the decorated career of club great Cyril Rioli with a look below at the key moments of his career.
November 2007: The Hawks use Pick 12 – their first at the draft – to secure a speedy and highly skillful forward from the Northern Territory by the name of Cyril Rioli.
March 2008: Donning the number 33 guernsey, Rioli makes his debut for the Hawks, kicking a goal and collecting 14 disposals in a performance that instantly excites fans, as the side triumphed over Melbourne by 104 points at the MCG.
April 2008: After 19 disposals and two goals in the Hawks’ win over the Richmond – one of which is nominated for goal of the year – Rioli is awarded the Round 6 Rising Star nomination.
September 2008: Much to the outrage dismay of Hawks fans, Rioli finishes second in the Rising Star Award after playing every game of the home and away season, just seven votes shy of winner Rhys Palmer.
September 2008: Rioli plays a starring role with two goals and a handful of inspirational efforts as the Hawks triumph to their first AFL Premiership in 17 years, defeating Geelong by 26 points.
October 2008: While he may have missed out on the AFL equivalent, Rioli’s stellar season is rewarded with the Hawks’ Best First Year Player award.
September 2009: Rioli is handed the 2009 AFL Goal of the Year for his miraculous effort against the Bombers in Round 7 in which he managed to dance around multiple opponents before drilling a goal from 40 metres out.
October 2009: After an incredible second season, ‘Junior Boy’ finishes runner up to Sam Mitchell in the club's best and fairest award, the Peter Crimmins Medal.
May 2010: Fan favourite Rioli runs out for his 50th game against the West Coast Eagles in Round 7.
April 2011: Rioli records a career-high 29 disposals in the Hawks’ 45-point win over Melbourne in Round 2 at the MCG.
August 2011: His sensational form continuing, the number 33 bags a career-high six goals, something he would do twice more.
July 2012: The Hawks celebrate Rioli's 100th game with a 94-point win over Essendon as the milestone man kicks two goals and gathers 21 disposals.
September 2012: Rioli receives his first All-Australian selection, named on the half forward flank after a brilliant season which netted 39 goals.
September 2013: After suffering a heartbreaking grand final defeat 12 months earlier, Rioli helps the Hawks to their second premiership in six years. They overcome Fremantle by 15 points at the MCG. Rioli gathers 15 disposals and kicks one goal in a low-scoring affair.
June 2014: A serious hamstring injury puts the remainder of Rioli’s season in doubt, with the star expected to miss up to three months.
September 2014: Rioli pulls off a miraculous recovery to return on grand final day and help the Hawks to back-to-back premierships, this time defeating the Swans by a massive 63 points.
September 2015: After yet another scintillating season in which he would finish with 42 goals, Rioli receives his second All-Australian selection, again named on the half forward flank.
September 2015: In one of the games of his career, Rioli drives the Hawks to an historic third consecutive premiership over the West Coast Eagles, awarded the Norm Smith medal.
October 2015: Rioli finishes runner-up in the Peter Crimmins Medal behind winner Josh Gibson, capping off a brilliant year.
September 2016: A third All-Australian guernsey is handed to Rioli after a career-best 47-goal season.
May 2017: Rioli’s season is cruelly cut short after suffering a PCL injury. Despite best efforts of both Rioli and the club's medical staff, he is unable to return to the field.
October: Rioli is granted compassionate leave to spend time with his father and extended family.
March 2018: After a very short pre-season, Rioli incredibly runs out for the Hawks in their Round 1 clash against Collingwood.
April 2018: The star is dealt another injury blow, hurting his knee in Hawthorn's win over Melbourne.
July 2018: After 189 games and 275 goals Cyril Rioli announces his retirement from AFL football at the age of 28. The football world bonds together to celebrate what has been an incredible sporting career.
