HAWTHORN star Cyril Rioli is expected to play in Friday night’s Preliminary Final after training strongly in the team’s main training session on Tuesday.

Rioli hit the track with his teammates for the 90 minute session and appeared uninhibited by the ankle injury he sustained against the Kangaroos in Round 22.

While he is still listed as a ‘test’ on the Club’s official injury list, Head of Coaching and Development and interim GM of Football, Chris Fagan says the dynamo forward will play.

“He trained extremely well, he was full of enthusiasm – he had a great session,” he told hawthornfc.com.au

“Provided he pulls up well, I’m sure he’ll play.”

Rioli would join Lance Franklin as star inclusions for the Preliminary Final against Geelong at the MCG on Friday night.

Franklin missed the Qualifying Final win over Sydney through suspension but has trained well both last week and this week and appears more than ready for the crucial clash.

The possible inclusion of two of the side’s biggest stars poses a selection dilemma for Coach Alastair Clarkson and the match committee given the Hawks have almost a full list to choose from.

Knee victims Matt Suckling, Ryan Schoenmakers and youngster Alex Woodward are the only players unavailable for selection.

There was no rest for the Hawks over the weekend off last week, with the Club choosing to prepare and train as if there was a game to be played.

The Hawks completed a solid training session last Friday followed by a recovery session on Saturday before resting up ahead of Friday night.

Fagan says the players are fresh and raring to go.

“We do look fresh. We trained very hard late last week and did a recovery session on Saturday morning and the boys freshened up on Sunday, trained really well on Monday and again yesterday,” he said.

“They just can’t wait to play.”