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When you think of Cyril Rioli, a few things come to mind: delicious, Bruce Mcavaney, and premierships.
The boy from the Tiwi Islands has dazzled the AFL community ever since his debut in 2008, which culminated with a premiership medal and a runner-up finish in the Rising Star award.
Rioli’s forward pressure, silky skills, and unbelievable goal sense was an important piece of Hawthorn’s premiership puzzle.
Over the following years, despite battling injuries and the occasional lapse in form, Rioli has compiled a series of achievements that place him in the top echelon of the modern game.
Rioli is a two-time All-Australian, a runner-up in the Hawks’ best and fairest, and, most importantly, a four-time premiership player, and a Norm Smith Medallist.
While his talent and CV are undeniable, there have been quiet murmurs about ‘Junior’ for years.
Does he get enough of the ball? Does he influence the game for long enough? Does Rioli go ‘missing’ too often?
Rioli, in 2015, arguably had a career-best year. An average of 15.3 disposals and almost two goals a game combined with a number two ranking in goal assists to paint a pretty picture.
Okay, okay. I hear you. Yes, Eddie Betts and Chad Wingard both averaged more goals a game. But, Rioli’s role isn’t simply about kicking goals.
The Hawthorn gameplan dictates sharing the spoils, like Buddy in 2013. Alastair Clarkson, in an effort to be more dangerous on game day, has encouraged his midfielders to pick the best option, and not be one-dimensional.
In a world where goals, disposals, and contested possessions are as crucial to football as the air in our lungs, Rioli thrives on the ugly brother of goal-kicking – goal assists.
What statistics don’t portray are the intangibles of Rioli’s all-round game. The knock ons, the harassment of the opposition, many of whom pack their dacks if Rioli is within a paddock of them. It all adds to the enigmatic nature of ‘Junior Boy’.
Rioli’s copious injuries have blunted his influence in the AFL. His hamstrings have caused him constant issues, as have much other soft tissue and ligament niggles.
Imagine, for a second, Rioli completely injury free and playing midfield full-time, he would be the next generation’s Gary Ablett Jr. That superb sidestep, the silky skills, the staggering speed, for four full quarters, run and gun. I can hear Mcavaney salivating even now.
The sad fact is that Rioli simply doesn’t influence enough games to ever be conceived in the same galaxy and stratosphere of generational players like Ablett, Chris Judd, Steve Johnson and Scott Pendlebury.
Thirty-six career Brownlow votes speak of a player who cannot impact games consistently. Judd polled 30 votes in a single year. A career high of seven Brownlow votes speaks volumes of Rioli as a player. Incredible in short bursts, yes. Incredible over four quarters, rarely.
Rioli has all the talent in the world, and is good enough to do the miraculous often, and easily. Football to Rioli is simple and a joy to watch. He truly is poetry in motion with a football tucked under his arm, weaving one way then another, the AFL’s Lionel Messi.
To become a superstar, Rioli has to move into the midfield and influence games consistently. His talent is truly untapped. While right now he may be overrated in the eyes of many, increased midfield time could result in Rioli leaving a greater footprint on the game.
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