MOVING away from your family to the other end of the country is hard enough for any 14-year-old.

Throw in the fact that you are arriving at a prestigious school carrying a surname that has everyone expecting you to become an AFL star and the burden is overwhelming.

But for Cyril Rioli, leaving Darwin for the unfamiliar surrounds of Melbourne’s Scotch College at 14 was the best move he ever made.

“It’s probably not for everyone but I’d say that it made the transition a lot easier for me, moving away from home when I was 14,” Rioli said.

“It made it a lot easier and I’d recommend it.”

Rioli’s exquisite football skills helped establish his own identity at his new school but the expectations of carrying on the legacy of the famous Rioli name only grew.

Rioli had a stellar debut season after the Hawks drafted him in 2007 and he has taken it to a new level in 2009. His ability to read the play and control the ball has some commentators dubbing him the most exciting player in the competition and a bigger drawcard for Hawthorn than the mercurial Lance Franklin.

Reading the play always came easily to Rioli right throughout his junior career.

“It comes naturally to me I guess. I don’t really recall having any training but I try to stick to the game structures. It depends where the ball is heading. I just try to guess where it’s going to go.”

As for the claims he has upstaged Franklin, Rioli says any extra hype about his performance has only come about because opposition defenders are more Buddy-conscious.

“I’m not too fussed about what they say but Buddy dominated last year and he is going smoothly this year,” Rioli said.

“He’s got more players manning up on him. They’re pretty much tagging him now which has left me free. I’m getting a bit of attention now but to be looked at like that is pretty unbelievable.”

After finishing second in the NAB AFL Rising Star award and sixth in Hawthorn’s best and fairest last year, Rioli said he was wary of fading away in his second season.

“I knew I had a pretty good pre-season and I was pretty nervous coming into this year. I love playing footy and I was a bit nervous about breaking down but luckily enough the body’s pulled up pretty good after 10 rounds and I’m pretty happy the way I’m going,” he said.

For all Rioli’s brilliance he is still just a quietly-spoken, modest teenager – albeit with more of a fan base than most.

He first developed a cult following while playing school footy for Scotch College where a clip of his highlights was posted on YouTube. Since then, the Junior Boy fan club has only grown.

“I reckon it’s pretty good. It’s good to see your number on kids backs,” he said.

“I’m only 19 and for people to look up to me is unbelievable and I’m just trying to do the best I can.”

Rioli’s first 18 months in the AFL system have been so impressive that there have already been murmurings about his worth on the open market when his contract runs out at the end of the year.

While many clubs would throw truckloads of dollars at him, Rioli said the idea of moving from Hawthorn does not appeal.

“Not really. The way the club is going now, I’m pretty much settled here now. I’m here to stay and I don’t want to be going anywhere. With the new contract, I’m just going to let it come. I’m not too fussed about that. I’m just happy to be playing footy,” he said.

“Getting extra money doesn’t really matter that much to me. I’m pretty happy here and I wouldn’t go anywhere.”

Music to the ears of Hawthorn fans around the country.