CYRIL Rioli has challenged himself to lift his form ahead of Saturday night's match of the round between Hawthorn and West Coast.
The 22-year-old Hawk has electrified crowds with his play over the opening three rounds of 2012, but he told hawthornfc.com.au that his start to the season had been "slow".
"I was a bit rusty at the start of the year, so hopefully I can get better as the year goes on," Rioli said.
"I'm going OK, but I'm not where I want to be at.
"I'll just keep working on it."
Champion Data statistics (in the table below) hint at why the gifted small forward feels he could be playing better.
Rioli was everywhere in a highlight-filled first half against Collingwood in round one, but dropped off after half-time.
Against Geelong, he lifted his team with eight touches and two goals in a huge third quarter, but had only seven disposals for the rest of the game.
Former Hawthorn champion Shane Crawford said the young star was "probably being a bit hard on himself", arguing that Rioli's efforts against the Magpies were the difference between the teams.
But Crawford agreed that his 2008 premiership teammate could work on making a more even contribution over entire games.
"I think for Cyril to go to that next level (he needs) to become a really consistent four-quarter player," Crawford said.
"But he's a freak of a player; I love watching him.
"He's just so good when he gets it, the quality of ball that he can do and the run and carry.
"He's just so important and he'll get better as he gets a bit older."
The Hawks will need Rioli to fire against the Eagles, who sit atop the AFL ladder with three wins and a percentage of 211.
On the back of a challenging start to the season and consecutive six-day breaks, Rioli admitted a win at Patersons Stadium would take his team's best performance of the year so far.
"It is going to be hard," he said.
"Two six-day breaks, and the travel, and having to play on their home turf.
"We haven't put a full game together as a team, so it's going to take a four-quarter effort and a lot of hard work from the guys."
A win would see the Hawks at 3-1 and well placed after four matches, having played each of the other 2011 top four teams.
A loss and they'd be back with the pack.
"If we can hold ourselves together and go over there and play the way we want to, I think we can win," Rioli said.
Cyril Rioli is a $399,300 forward in Toyota AFL Dream Team. Register your team here.
Mark Macgugan covers Hawks news for afl.com.au and hawthornfc.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_MarkM.
