CYRIL Rioli and Box Hill.
The two have never met, and until now, never looked likely to do so.
Rioli is the only player on Hawthorn's 2013 list who has never pulled on a Box Hill jumper.
While star teammates Lance Franklin, Jarryd Roughead and Sam Mitchell all started their Hawks careers at state level, and skipper Luke Hodge made VFL appearances both this season and last on the way back from injury, Rioli has been stamped 'senior football only' almost from the moment he walked through the Waverley Park doors.
But that could be about to change, as the Hawks ponder sending their excitement machine, on the comeback from a serious hamstring injury, for a run in the VFL to regain match fitness.
That prospect would have Box Hill's money-counters licking their lips, and Box Hill City Oval pie sellers bracing for their busiest afternoon of the year when Williamstown visits on Sunday.
The suburban ground has a capacity of 10,000, with an estimated 1,500-2,500 fans on average turning up for home games this season.
With Hawthorn playing the Brisbane Lions interstate – in a game only being shown on pay TV – that figure would be sure to skyrocket were the premiership hero to front up for the 'Stangers'.
"If Cyril was to come back through the VFL from his hamstring injury, I'm quite sure that the people in this area, and football supporters in general, would be keen to come down and watch him play," Box Hill general manager Paul Barnard said.
"He brings an incredible amount of energy and skill to the table.
"But we're none-the-wiser as yet whether it will happen, or whether he'll go straight back into the AFL."
On Tuesday night, prominent sports medico Dr Peter Larkins lent his support to the cause.
"It would make sense that Rioli had the opportunity to play in a less stressful environment to get some confidence," Dr Larkins toldAFL.com.au.
"If it's good enough for 'Hodgey' to do it, it's good enough for Rioli."
Not that Box Hill needs Rioli to swoop in and win them a game.
The VFL Hawks, like their AFL counterparts, sit atop the ladder, and are riding a seven-game winning streak.
But, as Barnard pointed out, if Rioli were to play, "It certainly wouldn't hurt."
