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Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson has declared small forward Cyril Rioli a certainty to play in Friday night’s AFL preliminary final against Geelong after recovering from an ankle injury.
Rioli, who hasn’t played since round 22 on August 24, trained with the main group on Thursday at Waverley Park as the Hawks prepare to take on their arch rivals.
Hawthorn have lost their past 11 clashes with Geelong since the 2008 grand final.
The Hawks are set to regain Rioli and fellow premiership forward Lance Franklin, back from suspension, for Friday night’s MCG blockbuster.
“He (Rioli) trained really well on Tuesday and he’s pulled up fine from that so he’ll be okay to play,” Clarkson told reporters on Thursday.
Asked if Rioli could be used as the sub because of his lack of match conditioning, Clarkson said: “That’s a possibility.”
Matt Spangher and Jed Anderson are two players possibly facing the axe at selection on Thursday afternoon to make way for Rioli and Franklin.
“We’ve got 30 who are available who could all come in and play a role for us,” Clarkson said.
“It’s always a tough time of the year.”
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