IT DIDN’T take dynamo Cyril Rioli long to make an impact for the Hawks, named best on ground by the coaches in the thrilling win over the Bombers on Friday night.
In his first game back from suspension and his first game of the season, Rioli received eight of a possible 10 votes in the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year award from Alastair Clarkson and Mark Thompson.
Rioli gathered 19 disposals and kicked two goals, including the match-winner, but it was his pressure and ability to force Essendon turnovers that saw him have a major affect on the result.
Hawks utility Shaun Burgoyne and Bombers utility Brendon Goddard were deemed equally as influential, given seven votes each for their performances on the night.
Burgoyne was particularly important for the Hawks late, when he was thrown into the midfield in the last quarter and had five clearances to lead the Hawks to victory.
He also set up a goal for Jonathan Simpkin thanks to his ability to find space then find a target with his elite vision.
He finished the game with 30 disposals, seven clearnaces, seven marks, five tackles and three goal assists.
Goddard finished with 28 disposals at 89.3 per cent efficiency and five inside 50s.
Interestingly, Josh Gibson was the only other Hawk to poll a vote, awarded one for his role in defence.
Gibson worked well with Kyle Cheney and youngster Angus Lithlerand to nullify the influence of the Essendon tall forwards, particularly in the final term when the Bombers were pressing early.
His ability to set up play from defence was also valuable, finishing with 22 disposals. He also had a game-high 11 one percenters.
David Myers (26 disposals) and Jobe Watson (30) received four and three votes respectively.
The votes: Essendon vs Hawthorn
8 Rioli (Haw)
7 Burgoyne (Haw)
7 Goddard (Ess)
4 Myers (Ess)
3 Watson (Ess)
1 Gibson (Haw)
Round 2 Leaderboard
19 Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda)
16 Joel Selwood (Geelong)
15 Brendon Goddard (Essendon)
13 Nat Fyfe (Fremantle)
13 Steve Johnson (Geelong)
13 Callan Ward (GWS)
12 Matthew Rosa (West Coast)
11 Jobe Watson (Essendon)
10 Gary Ablett (Gold Coast)
10 Brandon Ellis (Richmond)
10 Stephen Hill (Fremantle)
10 Mark LeCras (West Coast)
10 Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood)
10 Luke Shuey (West Coast)
