NEVER has the old adage that the stats sheet doesn't tell the whole story been truer than in the case of Cyril Rioli.

The Hawthorn forward had 16 disposals and booted two goals in his team's 22-point win over Collingwood on Friday night, but those figures indicate only a fraction of his impact on the game.

Never mind that he was quiet in the second half. Rioli's second quarter simply had to be seen.

Starting with a grab that could well win mark of the year, the 22-year-old provided the spark that helped the Hawks claw back an early deficit.

Out of position in a one-on-one contest with Heath Shaw at half-forward, Rioli leapt cat-like onto his opponent's head.

A sheer vertical jump, a mid-air twist, and somehow the ball was in his hands.

Soon after it found its way to teammate Brendan Whitecross for a goal.

Rioli then followed up with two electric goals of his own.

First, he worked opponent Harry O'Brien under the footy, then left O'Brien in his wake as he dashed off the back of the contest and into an open goal.

Next, he received a Shane Savage handball, dodged past Scott Pendlebury, weaved around O'Brien, and slammed the ball home on the run.

In between there were chase-down tackles, hardball gets, and a simply beautiful look-away handball that enabled Jordan Lewis to put the Hawks 15 points up just before half-time.

"I got my workrate up in the second quarter, which in the first was sort of a bit down," was Rioli's assessment after the match.

"But I lifted in the second and just tried to hold on, and I was happy with my couple of goals."

Not to be forgotten, Lance Franklin busied himself with getting on the highlights reel.

His five goal haul included a couple of specials - a snap across the body from outside 50 metres that sailed through post high, and a pin-point drop punt from the pocket after baulking around Magpie Ben Reid.

New Hawk Jack Gunston, not yet accustomed to Rioli and Franklin's freakish deeds, found himself in awe on the sidelines.

"It's unreal to watch," Gunston said.

"When Cyril took that hanger, I was on the bench and I almost jumped up and started clapping, they [Franklin and Rioli] are just marvellous players and excellent to watch."

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.