Every Sunday that goes by without football, we'll be bringing light to your lives by reminiscing on a different Hawthorn player from years gone by... And who other to start with than the iconic Cyril Rioli?
There are some tasks that are very difficult and then there are some that are impossible.
Picking the best five performances of Cyril's decorated career is an exercise somewhere in the middle of the two.
Take a look at the five games we've come up with where our beloved number 33 simply dazzled our socks off.
Have you heard which Hawks star is set for surgery?
Round 12 2010 v Adelaide
27 possessions, seven marks, nine tackles, six clearances and three goals
As Hawthorn clung desperately to its place in the top eight as the halfway point of the season neared, the side travelled to Launceston to take on a struggling Adelaide outfit. The then-20-year-old Rioli rose to the occasion for his side. His performance included an equal team-high three majors while he also led the way for the Hawks with his nine tackles. Rioli’s scintillating performance was not quite enough to earn the three Brownlow votes with teammate Luke Hodge claiming best afield honours with 32 disposals and three goals of his own.
Round 21 2011 v Port Adelaide
16 possessions, 12 tackles and six goals
The double act of Cyril and Lance Franklin was in full flight in this demolition job of Port Adelaide with the duo combining for 33 disposals, 17 tackles, 14 marks and 14 goals. The game’s result was in little doubt after an eight-goal-to-none opening term by the Hawks. Amazingly, Cyril’s game, as amazing as it may have seemed, brought him just one Brownlow vote as Buddy nabbed the two and Sam Mitchell’s 33 touches and two goals delivered him three.
Round 6 2012 v St Kilda
18 possessions, five tackles, four inside 50s and six goals
A Round 6 game that featured sixth versus 11th – it was hardly a blockbuster. That was until Cyril decided to turn on one of his classic performances. Once again alongside Franklin who kicked 5.6 of his own, the pair simply destroyed the Saints and put on an absolute show for the 42,000-strong crowd. Rioli’s swag of a half dozen majors earned him the three Brownlow votes with his three goals in a 10-minute period in the third quarter being the match’s pivotal moments.
Grand Final 2015 v West Coast
18 possessions, 12 marks, two tackles and two goals
The star Hawk was at his influential best in the biggest stage of all on this day in 2015, booting two goals from 18 disposals to lead the Hawks to a 46-point win and third consecutive premiership. When the game was up for grabs in the first half, Rioli starred in the spotlight, kicking both of his goals and, most importantly, having a hand in four others. Following in the footsteps of uncles Maurice Rioli and Michael Long, the superstar claimed the Norm Smith Medal.
Round 10 2016 v Brisbane
19 possessions, eight tackles and five goals
Wearing the Hawthorn indigenous guernsey which he helped to create, Rioli was unstoppable against the Lions at the Gabba on this warm Saturday afternoon. Three of his majors came within a 15-minute period of playing team from the end of the third term to the start of the fourth when the game was still on the line. This win sparked a nine-game success streak for the Hawks as they honed in on their assault on a seventh consecutive finals appearance.
