Cyril Rioli magic lights up the AFL Legends game on his footy return
Reclusive AFL legend Cyril Rioli pulled on the boots on Thursday night and in one moment of magic, the Hawks great showed he’s still got it.
Cyril Rioli celebrated his return to footy at Marvel Stadium with a moment of pure magic at the Legends game on Thursday night.
The annual match, which is held to raise money for prostate cancer, featured a host of big names, including Dane Swan, Nick Riewoldt, Gary Ablett Jr and Luke Hodge.
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But the man most were looking forward to seeing was Hawks legend Rioli, who has rarely been seen on a footy field in Melbourne since his retirement back in 2018.
The four-time premiership winner had a falling out with Hawthorn and was involved in a lengthy battle with his former club over historical racism claims, including some levelled at his premiership coach Alastair Clarkson that were first raised in 2022.
Watch Cyril’s moment of magic in the video player above
The matter involved mediation and court proceedings before being settled by the Human Rights Commission in May without a determination of the allegations.
The 36-year-old has been absent from a number of recent Hawthorn functions, but he turned out for the All Stars side against Victoria at Marvel Stadium.
He was asked pre-match if Thursday night was a chance to say hello and goodbye to the Victorian footy world.
“Yeah it is, there’s a bit of a combo of that,” he told Channel 7. “It’s been a while since I’ve played footy down here.
“It’s nice to say hello to the fans again and everyone involved, especially seeing some of the past legends.
“It’s been quite amazing to see them too.”
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Rioli said he’d been playing some footy and maintaining his fitness with local team the Jabiru Bombers back home in the Northern Territory and it showed when the 2015 Norm Smith medallist took to the field.
The excitement machine attempted to unload a barrel just about every time the footy came his way in a match that predictably featured as many beer bellies and receding hairlines as it did quality play.
But on the stroke of halftime, Rioli had the crowd on its feet when he unleashed a torpedo from inside the centre square that crossed the goal line right as the siren sounded.
“Unbelievable. That was champagne football,” Mick Molloy said in commentary.
“Welcome back to club land, that was fantastic. He’s delivered and the Vics have got a bit to do.”
Showing he was happy being back in the spotlight, Rioli was interviewed on the host broadcaster again at the long break.
“Just playing my game, getting everyone into it,” he said. “Just a bit of fun, trying to hit the targets.”
Asked if he meant the barrel goal, Rioli said with a grin: “No not at all, that just came off with a bit of luck, but we’ll take it.”
Matthew Richardson was gushing about Rioli during the halftime break.
“He’s been one of the highlights of the game. What about that, a torpedo pass to his good mate ‘The Wizard’, Jeff Farmer,” Richo said.
“He’s wanting to torp it every time he gets it. I don’t blame him because just before halftime he unloaded with one.
“I think the crowd are just loving seeing Cyril back here at Marvel Stadium.
“What about that, on the siren, that was from inside the square.
“You don’t see that at AFL level. That’s gone 65 metres on the line on the siren if you don’t mind.
“A bit of Hollywood entertainment there from Cyril, that’s what the crowd came to see.”
Fans online were relishing the chance to see the three-time All Australian back on the big stage.
David Whyte wrote on X: “I shed a tear every time I see Cyril Rioli put his skill on display tonight. Freak.”
Kevin Perry said: “How absolutely wonderful to Cyril back on field. Still a magician.”
X account Ch4nc2 tweeted: “Oh my Cyril.”
Al Stocks offered: “Cyril! What a player!.”
Higgo said: “Cyril torp from the square! Bloody hell! Special.”
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Veronica declared: “Holy s**t what a goal from Cyril.”
In a game with plenty of skill errors and a distinct lack of fitness, Rioli’s moment was the clear highlight.
Brendan Fevola, who still plays country footy, was also doing his best to entertain the crowd, donning a mic and commentating his own moment as he also slotted a goal on a tight angle from outside 50m.
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