The enigmatic Hawks forward has provided Hawks fans with a number of highlights throughout his career to date, taking speccys, kicking amazing goals and lighting up the MCG with his explosive pace.
Since making his debut in Round 1 of the 2008 season, Rioli has enjoyed a decorated career to date.
His achievements to date don’t come any bigger than a premiership - a feat Rioli achieved in his first season with the Hawks.
To date, Rioli’s achievements stretch from a premiership win, to a second placing in the Hawks best and fairest, the Peter Crimmins Medal in 2009 and, winning Goal of the Year in 2010 for his incredible evasive skills before drilling the goal.
Reflecting on those achievements, Rioli can’t go past being a member of the 2008 premiership win.
“Winning the grand final is probably my favourite memory, and something I’ll cherish forever,” he said.
In that grand final, Rioli, in just his first season at the highest level had an impact on the match, leaving a mark on the game and in the hearts and minds of all Hawks fans and the football public in general.
As Stuart Dew kicked the ball to Rioli on the wing, the lightly framed small forward was out-positioned by the more experienced Corey Enright but somehow managed to keep his footing. He turned on a 5c piece, swiveled and pressured Enright until the Cat lost his footing.
Rioli then jumped over Enright, showing his desperation to win the ball as the game sat delicately placed with seven minutes remaining in the third term, with the Hawks leading the Cats by six points.
A second Cat arrived - Max Rooke.
But, not to be denied, Rioli lunged and tackled Rooke by the waist, dispossessing him as then Hawthorn ruckman Brent Renouf arrived.
It was 30 seconds of desperation that typified what all Hawks fans would come to expect from Rioli, and in his 99 games to date, he has never wavered in his desire to win the football.
Ahead of his impending 100th game, Rioli says he’s excited to play against the Bombers on Friday.
“It feels like yesterday I was playing my first AFL game,” Rioli said.
“I’m very excited to reach my 100th game, it’s a huge achievement and I feel proud that I’ve reached it.
“I’m pretty excited for this week’s game.”
Hawthorn midfielder Sam Mitchell says he’s excited to watch Riloi’s highlight tape - a playing group ritual ahead of any games milestone.
“I’m actually really excited about it, I get to watch the highlight tape,” Mitchell said.
“Cyril’s will be pretty impressive.”
Despite Rioli being in just his fifth season at the Club, Mitchell, a veteran of 11 seasons admits it feels as though Rioli has been around for longer.
“It feels like he’s been around for a long time,” he said.
Fellow midfielder Brad Sewell lauded Rioli’s ability to have an impact on games with little exposure to the football.
“He doesn’t need to touch the ball too many times to have an influence and bring other guys into a game,” he said.
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