Every time I hear a conversation about the best small forwards in the AFL 1 name is always mentioned and I have never known why.
The name is Cyril Rioli and in my opinion he is the most over-rated player in the competition. Yes I understand he is a four-time premiership player, Norm Smith medallist and a two time All Australian but the way he gets talked up is so undeserved. Cyril is entering his ninth season in the AFL. He has played a majority of his career up forward because his body won’t allow him to spend much time in the midfield. I am going to compare Cyril’s statistics with two of the game’s best small forwards.
Here are some facts:
– Rioli has played 157 games and kicked 221 goals (Average of 1.41 goals a game)
– Chad Wingard has played 89 games and kicked 148 goals (Average of 1.66 goals a game)
– Eddie Betts has played 229 games and kicked 404 goals (average of 1.76 goals a game)
Out of the three players mentioned above Rioli averages the least goals per game, Also, keep in mind that if you cancel out Wingard’s first season in 2012 where he didn’t spend much time forward at all, he has played 70 games and kicked 139 goals, that is an average of two a game in the past three seasons.
Here is a list of averages from the games supposed “best small forwards”
Rioli averages:
Disposals – 15.49 per game
Tackles – 4.46 per game
Goal assists – 1.03 per game
Wingard averages:
Disposals – 17.51 per game
Tackles – 2.63 per game
Goal assists – 0.74 per game
Betts averages
Disposals – 12.06 per game
Tackles – 3.10 per game
Goal assists – 0.93 per game
In my opinion a great small forward should kick 40+ goals a season. Wingard has kicked 40+ goals three times in his four-year career, Betts has kicked 40+ goals five times in his 11-year career and the most overrated small forward in the competition, Cyril Rioli, has only kicked over 40 goals one time in eight seasons.
I am a Port supporter and I believe the game’s best three small forwards are Wingard, Betts, and Stringer. It’s time everybody got off of Rioli’s bandwagon. He isn’t in the top 50 best players in the AFL.
Jed
Guest
Cyril is on another level and catches occasional glimpses of Betts and WIngard his rear view mirror.. His influence and ability to turn a game on its head is unsurpassed. Greatest on field presence of any small man I have ever seen!
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
Two seasons ago, the hype around Cyril was my biggest gripe with the media. He didn't kick enough goals and was woefully inconsistent. Occasionally he would do something that looked better than what it was and people would lose their minds while I was left with my hands in the air wondering what the big deal was. Over the last couple of seasons I have changed my tune. First things first, he's not really a traditional small forward; he tends to run through the middle a lot more now, and when he does play closer to goal, he troubles defenders on the ground and usually contributes to scores. He's there to impact games, and recently it's been hard to deny that he does. You don't fluke a Norm Smith medal. I would still prefer Betts over him in my team; a true small forward who is good for 3 goals a game is very handy. If Wingard has a good 2016 he will reach true superstar status. One of the most interesting players in the league.
Niko
Guest
Jealousy is a curse! Cyril has an aura like no other, players panic when he is close for good reason. Cyril is also the most humble soul if he has even the remotest opportunity to give a team member a shot on goal he will. Chad and Eddie are not on the same plane. Great players both but not on the same plane as Cyril. Just look at the savouring Richmond hope just at the mere possibility of having something similar.
Tom
Guest
These type of articles make me smile every time. At some point supporters from the other 17 clubs will wake up to the fact that the Hawks don't have a personality based game plan; everyone has a role to play and it's got nothing to do with being the best in your position but all about playing your part for the team. The Hawks are playing a different game to everyone else and we should know halfway through the year whether the others have cottoned on, else it's a Fourthorn much to the chagrin of the AFL and rest of the comp.
Pumping Dougie
Guest
Interesting article Daniel, and until Cyril's performance in last year's grand final I would have agreed with you so far as Wingard being better. Maybe by the time Wingard has finished his career and collected a Norm Smith along the way, the argument will be more compelling. But it feels like you've dismissed some of the statistics presented in your article pretty lightly (by not discussing them further) - tackles and goal assists are pretty important. Plus I think Cyril tends to do things for his side that don't show up in stats (like tap-ons). Cyril undoubtedly creates significantly more pressure than Wingard or Betts on the opposition defence when they have the ball, with his run-down tackles. He's also very creative with the ball. Wingard and Betts are creative too, but your stats (goal assists) suggest that Cyril might have the edge here. If I had the choice of all three, I'd choose Wingard, principally because he is durable and can be highly effective onball (which Cyril and Betts have done little of). One last point (and its just a bug-bear of mine), Stringer is not a SMALL forward. He is the same size as Nick Riewoldt and Pavlich. But thanks for the article and controversy.
Dave
Guest
He has played more games than Wingard in the last 2 years....
Luke
Guest
Not a Hawks supporter, but I disagree entirely. Rioli had more score involvements last year than any other player in the comp and it is what he does without the ball that makes him a huge asset. Watch last years grand final, three tap ons, two knocked down handballs and two dives on the ball set up 7 goals....no stats recorded, he does the hard stuff.
mattyb
Guest
I totally agree with you Daniel and the 3 players you mentioned are all far better and get on the park a lot more.
Jrod
Guest
You have no idea. Clear Top 3 (maybe no 1) for importance in the best team in the comp. In 2015 I knew we would win half way through the season after the freo and Sydney beatings. My only qualification was one one players fitness, Cyril. Most Hawks supporters, clarko and others etc who watch us closely agree. When he doesn't play we really really miss him.