Hawthorn star Cyril Rioli kicks winning goal for Tiwi Bombers in return to the playing field

Cyril Rioli’s last minute goal sealed a big comeback from the Tiwi Bombers against a desperately unlucky Palmerston Magpies

Cyril Rioli, right front, celebrates with his Tiwi teammates on Bathurst Island. Picture GLENN CAMPBELL

YOU could not have scripted a better fairytale ending.

A Cyril Rioli winning goal in the dying seconds inspired the Tiwi Bombers to a thrilling comeback victory - 11.13 (7.9) to 12.6 (78) against Palmerston in NTFL Round 5 action at Tiwi Oval.

The superstar four-time premiership winner with Hawthorn formed up in the midfield alongside his island compatriots and made an almost instant impact by helping the Bombers secure the first goal just before the rain set in.

Rained poured from then on and initially Palmerston, who shared a back and forth before a popular goal from Preyben Tipiloura, sent the crowd mad with excitement.

However, the slippy ball denied Tiwi the chance to bounce on with Palmerston being the only team to score in the second quarter, Keidan Holt-Tubbs bagging a double.

It was then when Tiwi manager Leigh Crossman would have felt the game getting away from his Bombers, particularly with Rioli taking a harsh knock.

But the hosts somehow brought themselves back into the game and it was none over than Rioli himself that tied up the final goal of the match and saved the day.

“Just having him out here is so great, it’s Cyril Rioli you know,” 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.”

Palmerston will rue their missed chances and their late concessions as they were probably the better side for much of the match.

Big men Matthew Dennis and Jack Berry were able to outmuscle the Tiwi engine room, helping slow the game down to suit their pace, but ultimately it was not enough.

“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.”

The Magpies will be especially annoyed at the scoreboard, which initially read a draw at the death only to be overturned by the goal umpires giving Tiwi their single point victory.