Cyril Rioli admits he is scared about what the next chapter of his life will hold

IN his first interview since walking away from football, Cyril Rioli has admitted that he is scared about what the next chapter of his life will hold as he farewells the brown and gold for good.

Cyril Rioli announced his retirement this week. Picture: Getty Images

CYRIL Rioli has admitted that he is scared about what the next chapter of his life will hold.

But he is confident that he has made the right decision as he prepares to leave AFL football behind.

The electric Hawk this week called time on his 189 game, four-premiership career after 11 years.

He had been on indefinite personal leave from Hawthorn since early June after his father battled ill health, and he will now move back to Darwin.

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Rioli, 28, had been deeply affected by the “heartbreaking” experience that he said robbed him of his desire to play football at the top level.

“It’s not to say that it’s been the hardest 12 months, but I feel like it’s affected me in many ways,” he told Channel 7.

“When my dad when through his stuff it was pretty heartbreaking to see. Being away from home, when my dad’s stuff happened, I probably lost that fire or that desire to compete or to play.

Cyril Rioli announced his retirement this week. Picture: Michael Klein

“With all these emotions, injury and everything, it’s probably not the right time but it is the right time to go home and start our new journey of our life together.”

The playmaker credited Hawthorn for all it had done for him — and for “taking a chance on a chubby little kid many years ago”.

He said the club had played a major role in his journey from teenager to adult and that he was still struggling with the notion of retirement.

“It is difficult that I’m finishing up,” he said.

“When I actually think about it, it scares me. It makes me very nervous.

“But I’ll still watch from afar, still enjoy watching the boys and be a huge supporter of the Hawthorn Football Club.”

Rioli joined Hawthorn at the end of 2007 and retires as a one-club player who has only played under one coach — Alastair Clarkson — who the star said he had been “fortunate to have”.

“He’s been truly amazing,” he said.

A bit scary, too? “Bloody oath,” he laughed.

The decorated forward — who moved to Melbourne to board at Scotch College as a 14-year-old — also thanked supporters both from Hawthorn and other clubs, and said he was anticipating what his shift back north would hold.

“I’m proud of my career,” Rioli said.

“I’m proud of the things that I’ve done and I’m looking forward to the next part of my life.”

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