HAWTHORN star Cyril Rioli says he can’t wait to get out onto the MCG on Saturday night after nine weeks on the sidelines.

The livewire forward hasn’t played since Round 5, when he was best on ground against the Kangaroos in the thrilling three-point win.

In the final quarter of the game though, he injured his hamstring, on one of his trademark runs on the southern wing of the MCG.

But that’s now all in the past, with the exciting forward ready to finally make his comeback in one of the season’s biggest games, against the Cats at the MCG.

“I’ve been out for a while, it’s sort of been a good break mentally but I’m busting out of my skin to get out there and hopefully get a win,” Rioli told hawthornfc.com.au

The Hawks have been cautious with Rioli’s return, with the forward having completed three weeks of full training before being recalled.

He has been in full training since Round 13 – when Hawthorn defeated West Coast at Etihad Stadium.

The Club floated a possible return via the VFL, but there would be no such appearance for Box Hill, with the Hawks star brought straight into the Hawthorn side when the fitness and coaching staff believed he was ready.

He admits it has been a long three weeks but knows the side’s ability to win without him enabled him to complete his rehabilitation without the pressure to return before he’s ready.

“It has been tough (sitting out), but with the boys winning it’s helped my recovery - I could take my time in getting back,” he said.

“(But) it’s been a long three weeks for me since I’ve been back training and ready.”

Rioli is confident the preparation and training he’s completed in the lead-up to his return will hold him in good stead for a game likely to be played at finals-like intensity.

He admits, though, he’s experiencing nervous excitement.

“I’ve done a bit of work the last two or three weeks to get fit, so now, to be coming back in this big game, it’s really good.

“I’m pretty nervous, but I’m excited at the same time.”

Now that he’s back in the side, Rioli is focused on one thing – beating Geelong.

Of course, the Hawks haven’t beaten the Cats in 10 attempts, but Rioli says he and his teammates will be fighting hard to secure their first victory against them since the 2008 Grand Final.

“10 in a row they’ve beaten us, but the boys are pumped and hopefully this time we can get a win over them,” he said.

“It’s going to be tough but the boys are going to be fighting hard.”