HAWTHORN star Cyril Rioli will miss a further two to three matches with a hamstring injury.
Rioli hasn’t played since Round 5, when he injured his hamstring in the final quarter of the thrilling three-point win over North Melbourne.
The Hawks star was best afield in that game – with 20 disposals and four goals.
It means the midfielder/forward’s stint on the sidelines could extend to nine weeks – having already missed six weeks with the injury.
The Hawks have taken a cautious approach with the star who has a history of hamstring injuries.
It is that history that has forced the Hawks to err on the side of caution and not rush his return date, despite Rioli participating in a running program in recent weeks.
Head of Coaching and Development, Chris Fagan last week said while Rioli is progressing well.
“Cyril’s running program is going well, he’s five weeks post the injury now,” Fagan said last week.
“He was doing a running program yesterday with one of our fitness guys and moving quite well.
“I don’t think he’d be available for Carlton, but pretty soon after that would be our expectation based on all his scans and everything being ok.”
Rioli had hoped to return for Friday night’s clash against the Blues, but is listed as being two to three more weeks away on the Club’s injury list.
While Rioli remains sidelines, forward Brendan Whitecross will make his long awaited return from a knee reconstruction in the VFL this weekend.
