Recruiters should stay in touch with Cyril Rioli in case he wants to play AFL again, Jay Clark writes

IT MIGHT be a longshot but AFL recruiters should get Cyril Rioli’s phone number, save it and keep in contact with the retired champion in case he ever gets the hunger back to play AFL again, Jay Clark writes.

Cyril Rioli won four premierships with Hawthorn — 2008, 2013, 2014 and 2015. Picture: Nicole Garmston

EVERY AFL list manager must get Cyril Rioli’s phone number.

Let’s call it a longshot for now, but what if one of the game’s greatest ever small forwards gets the bug back to play again?

It might only be a gut-feel at this stage, but there are a couple of Rioli’s mates who think the champion goalkicker is a small chance to make an AFL comeback.

And he has family links at Richmond (Daniel Rioli), West Coast (Willie Rioli), Essendon (Jake Long) and don’t forget his great mate and cousin at St Kilda, Ben Long.

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A senior club figure said on Friday: “Clearly he has got some things to sort out, but every club will be asking the question later in the year. You would be mad not too, but it’s still long odds.”

Just don’t tell Clarko, who on Friday said he didn’t want to “handcuff” Rioli to the club.

“I take it on face value that if a guy’s retiring then he’s made a decision to walk away from the game,” Clarkson said.

Cyril Rioli won four premierships with Hawthorn — 2008, 2013, 2014 and 2015. Picture: Nicole Garmston

“I think it’s important that we don’t try to (talk him into playing on), this needs to be authentic and genuine and it’s been something we’ve been dealing with on a regular basis with him.”

For one reason or another, it seems like his golden time is over at Hawthorn, and if he did ever attempt a comeback, as some suspect, it would be a fresh start.

Remember, Stuart Dew returned to the top level after a year out of the game aged 28.

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Dew lost about 25kg and played a crucial role in the Hawks’ 2008 flag.

Rioli is also only 28, and has headed home to Darwin with his wife after telling the Hawks he had lost the fire to compete at AFL level.

The joyous forward changed the game with his searing pressure, selfless knock-ons, and breathtaking skill.

He won the North Smith Medal in the 2015 Grand Final, the third of Hawthorn’s three-peat premierships. Picture: Getty

But the question now is what if Rioli gets the urge back?

What if he begins to miss the game?

What if he is able to sort out the family issues which have contributed to his surprise retirement this week?

If Rioli’s mindset does ever change, he would be one of the most sought-after players in the game because he could be nabbed in the draft for peanuts.

You would be negligent, from a recruiting perspective if you didn’t maintain contact, just in case.

Imagine getting one of the game’s most freakishly-skilled players with a second-round draft pick.

Rioli has retired from the AFL as one of the most celebrated players in history. Picture: Michael Klein

For a club such as Richmond and St Kilda, who have strong and proud indigenous histories, it would be absolute nirvana.

Rioli is very close with his cousin Long, from the Saints.

Long paid tribute to Rioli when he was first drafted to Seaford for helping him settle into Melbourne.

“I looked up to him as a big brother to me,” Long said.

“During the hard times when I came down I’d go and see him on weekends and spend time with him quite a bit, which helped me in my three years being comfortable down in Melbourne.”

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Originally published as Recruiters should stay in touch with Cyril Rioli in case he wants to play AFL again, Jay Clark writes