HAWTHORN star Cyril Rioli is on track to return from injury before the finals.
While some speculated Rioli wouldn’t make it back this season after injuring his hamstring for a second time in Round 15, he is expected to return for the Hawks in the lead-up to the 2014 finals series.
After spending a week back home in the Northern Territory following the injury against the Suns, Rioli is back jogging and his rehabilitation is progressing as expected.
With finals seven weeks away, Rioli could return in Rounds 22 or 23 barring any setbacks.
He is expected to return in 5-6 weeks.
“He’s been full of beans since his return and has started his rehab from the hamstring,” General Manager Football - Operations Chris Fagan told hawthornfc.com.au
In more good news for the Hawks, defender Josh Gibson appears set to make his long-awaited return from a torn pectoral against the Swans at the MCG next Saturday night.
Gibson hasn’t played since Round 8, ironically when he suffered the injury against Sydney at ANZ Stadium.
The premiership defender has been running since undergoing reparative surgery in the week following the injury, while he has been back in skills training for three weeks.
Wingman Bradley Hill is also a chance to face the Swans, as the Hawks work towards getting their best team on the park ahead of September.
Billy Hartung could also be in the mix after making a successful comeback from an elbow injury in the VFL on Saturday.
The Hawks have the bye this weekend before taking on the Swans in a huge Saturday night clash at the MCG on 26 July.
