Cyril Rioli kicks winning goal in comeback game for Tiwi Bombers
There was plenty of AFL talent on hand for Cyril Rioli’s comeback game — including seven premierships in one remarkable photo. And the former Hawk did not disappoint, pulling off a remarkable fairtyale finish.
AFL News
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
You could not have scripted a better fairytale ending.
Cyril Rioli made his footy comeback yesterday on Bathurst Island, 80km north of Darwin, and kicked the winning goal in the dying seconds.
Rioli looked very much like the player who won four AFL premierships with Hawthorn as he inspired the Tiwi Bombers to a thrilling 11.13 (79) to 12.6 (78) NTFL comeback win against Palmerston.
Stream over 50 sports Live & On-Demand with KAYO SPORTS on your TV, computer, mobile or tablet. Just $25/month, no lock-in contract. Get your 14-day free trial and start streaming instantly >
“Just having him out here is so great, it’s Cyril Rioli you know,” Tiwi manager Leigh Crossman said.
“He had a very busy day taking the final goal and catching a howler in the second which could have been game over for someone else.”
After weeks of being named but not playing, the genius forward finally took to the field in Bombers colours to crowds and attention no other NTFL player could muster.
There was no mystery this week — no way would Rioli pass up the opportunity to play his first game back in front of his friends, family and old teammates at Tiwi Oval.
And no one was more excited than Rioli’s nieces and nephews Dwaine Talor Ah Sam and the Tipuamantumerri sisters Teneiya, Taitum and Talima.
“We’re really excited, he’s our uncle and he’s really good,” eight-year-old Dwaine told the Sunday Herald Sun.
There was plenty of AFL talent on show, with former Demon Austin Wonaeamirri lining up alongside Rioli and brothers Aaron and Alwyn Davey part of the Magpies’ line-up. Adam Tipungwuti — cousin of Essendon star Anthony McDonald Tipungwuti — was named in the back pocket for the Bombers.
Dual premiership Tiger Daniel Rioli was in the stands along with cousin Willie, who is serving a provisional suspension for substituting a urine sample during a drug test.
Willie, Cyril, Wonaeamirri and Daniel posed for a photo that was posted on the AFLNT Twitter account. The foursome, who all hail from the tini Tiwi Islands, boast seven AFL premierships and 335 AFL games between them.
What a day for NT footy! Thanks to Aussie Wonaeamirri for sharing this great photo with us #NTFLtruecolours #territoryfooty pic.twitter.com/C6BSqQOcIF
— AFLNT (@AFLNT) November 2, 2019
In the three-quarter time break of Saturday’s curtain-raiser, Cyril Rioli could be seen on field greeting friends and former teammates as if he had never been away.
Rioli refused to talk to the press himself, but the fans who cheered his every touch, and the passion he played with, said it all.
Tiwi Bombers board member and executive for Tiwi Island Football League, Mary Dunn, was protective of the superstar, but said his achievement would be an inspiration to all young Tiwi players.
“It’s a huge inspiration to our kids to have Junior Boy play,” Dunn said.
“We have so many young boys where what he has done is their dream as well, so it’s a really big inspiration to all of us.”
MORE NEWS:
North Melbourne registers interest in discarded Lion Josh Walker
ASADA boss David Sharpe admits it wasn’t ready for Essendon and Cronulla doping scandals
Hawthorn returns to prime time in 2020 AFL fixture
The Tiwi Islands have pathway academies set up through their schools aided, heavily by AFL heavyweight Essendon.
“We hope to see a bit more of him,” Ms Dunn said.
“The inspiration he brings will do so much for everyone here.”
The match had its share of drama — the scoreboard showed scores tied on the final siren, only to be overturned by the goal umpires giving Tiwi a one-point victory.
Rioli lined up in the midfield alongside his island compatriots and made an almost instant impact by helping the Bombers secure the first goal just before tropical rain set in.
It poured from then on and Palmerston made the running, and the Magpies will rue several missed chances.
“Not quite sure ... how we managed that,” Crossman said.
“We played about two quarters of footy and Palmerston were probably the better side on the day.
“We played a couple of good spurts of football which got us ahead at the siren.”
Originally published as Cyril Rioli kicks winning goal in comeback game for Tiwi Bombers
Brayshaw gutted after massive MMM shake-up
Radio station Triple M has undergone a major shake-up, with one of the moves devastating broadcaster James Brayshaw.
Fagan impact hailed as Lions look to lock down coach until 2026
Brisbane Lions are poised to extend Chris Fagan’s tenure as one of the club’s veterans hailed this season as the best coaching performance of near-decade at the helm.