DARREN MONCRIEFF
Monday 31 July 2012
THERE'S a moment during the 2008 AFL Grand Final in which the class of Cyril Rioli shines. It was the turning point in a game regarded among the most enthralling of recent season deciders.
During the tense match, in front of 100,012 spectators, Rioli found himself outnumbered on the wing near the boundary. Somehow, he managed to swivel past his Geelong opponent to win the ball.
Another Cats defender arrived -- two against one -- but a desperate lunging Rioli tackle saw the disputed ball spill free just in time for a Hawks team-mate to arrive and clear the ball.
Rioli's Hawthorn would eventually win the grand final by 26 points over Geelong, the final score blowing out in the last quarter. But during that tense third quarter, with the game in the balance, Rioli, just 25 games into his first season at AFL level, showed the class and poise we have become accustomed to.
At the weekend, the Tiwi Islander (pictured) suited up for his 100th AFL game and, like the super talent that he is, put in another memorable perormance.
Rioli, 23, was in everything as the Hawks dismantled Essendon from start to finish of Friday night's match.
Ironically, and in a decision Bombers fans must rue, Essendon overlooked Rioli in the 2007 AFL draft, having their selection six picks before the Hawks. Essendon was where Rioli's uncles, Michael Long and Dean Rioli, played in grand finals and had memorable careers.
Reflecting on his career thus far, Rioli recalled the 2008 Grand Final as the one that stands out.
"Winning the grand final is probably my favourite memory, and something I'll cherish forever," he said.
"I'm glad I got a grand final under my belt but I want to win another one and I reckon I'll enjoy it a lot more when it comes around.
"It felt like only yesterday that I played my first game so I'm pretty excited and feel proud to have reached (100 games)."
In 2009, Rioli placed second in the Hawks' fairest-and-best, the Peter Crimmins Medal and he won AFL Goal of the Year that same year, in a game against Essendon.
"Hopefully I can get another one of those," Rioli said.
"I've signed on another for another few years here and I want to play out my career with the Hawks...for maybe 200 games."
AboriginalFootball@westnet.com.au
Last Modified on 31/07/2012 11:11