Doughty to mark Rioli in final

ADELAIDE veteran Michael Doughty is firming as the man to stand Hawthorn livewire Cyril Rioli in Saturday's preliminary final at the MCG.

Adelaide Crows

ADELAIDE veteran Michael Doughty is firming as the man to stand Hawthorn livewire Cyril Rioli in Saturday's preliminary final at the MCG.

Doughty, who will retire once the Crows' premiership campaign ends, managed to restrict Rioli to just 10 disposals and two goals in round three this year.

And after keeping Fremantle goalsneak Hayden Ballantyne to just one major in Friday's semi-final win, Doughty will almost certainly get the first crack at Rioli.

"Dogga (Doughty) played on him (Rioli) last time and did a pretty good job," Adelaide defender Brent Reilly noted.

"Dogga did an outstanding job on Ballantyne so I'm sure he will be the man putting his hand up."

Rioli, who earned his first All-Australian jumper on Monday night, has kicked at least one goal in all but two of his matches this season.

But the attacking side of Rioli's game isn't the only thing placing the Crows on high alert. The 23-year-old's penchant for tackling will keep the likes of Doughty and Reilly on their toes when rebounding the ball from defence.

"He's a livewire for them," Reilly said of Rioli, who applied 14 tackles against Port Adelaide in round 11.

"He's probably their barometer in how they are actually going so whoever gets the job on him, has to do an outstanding job because he's a sensational player."

Adelaide captain Nathan van Berlo said it was the many facets to Rioli's game that made him such a dangerous opponent.

"He's quick, has good skills and he can chase so he's got some great attributes for a small forward," van Berlo said.

"He's been recognised this year with his All-Australian (selection) so he's a terrific player."

Despite being four years younger than Doughty, Reilly admitted he would be little hope of keeping up with the speedy Rioli.

"He would run circles around me before I even saw him," Reilly said with a laugh.

"I need to get on the blokes who are a bit slower and a bit closer to my ability."