AFL round 10 Gold Coast v Hawthorn: All the news, fallout and analysis from the Suns’ eight-point win

Despite Sam Mitchell referring to the ‘complicated situation’ during the week, club legend Cyril Rioli made a rare – and celebrated – AFL appearance on Thursday night.

Liam Healy and Nathaniel Chambers

5 min read

May 16, 2025 - 11:24AM

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Hawthorn legend Cyril Rioli made a rare AFL appearance at the Suns’ eight-point win over the Hawks, taking in the action at TIO Stadium as the league tries to get him back to the game following the racism scandal and subsequent court battle that engulfed the Hawks.

The three-time premiership player was among a group of players involved in a civil suit against Hawthorn which alleged he had been subjected to “unlawful discrimination” during his decade at the club.

Rioli was invited by the Hawks to attend the clash, but went on his own accord and was spotted embracing premiership skipper Luke Hodge.

Cyril Rioli watching the Hawks play on Thursday night in Darwin. Picture: Fox Footy

And Rioli with premiership teammate Luke Hodge. Picture: Fox Footy

The Hawthorn legend’s cousin, star Sun Dan Rioli said it was just great to see the 2015 Norm Smith Medallist back at the footy.

“It’s good to see him out still here watching the footy, I love him,” Rioli told Channel 7.

“The fans probably got around him as well, he’s so well known here up in the Top End… it’s just good to see him back here watching the footy.”

Sam Mitchell said earlier in the week he would love for Rioli to attend the opening game of Sir Doug Nicholls Round.

“We’d love to see him, but it’s one of those complicated situations where maybe he’s not quite ready for that,” Mitchell said.

“Maybe he is – I’m not exactly sure at this point. But if not, we understand there are some complications.”

Special moment Cyril Rioli catches up with former Hawthorn captain

Premiership teammate Shaun Burgoyne was also pleased to spot Rioli in the crowd.

“It is a great thing Cyril being back at the footy. As a Hawthorn great, Hawthorn people love seeing him involved,” Burgoyne said on Fox Footy.

“Getting back to the footy is the first step for him. We’ll get him to enjoy watching Hawthorn play again.”

Fellow legendary small forward Eddie Betts shared similar excitement about Rioli’s attendance.

“It’s awesome to see a legend like that here,” Betts said.

“He’s an idol and a role model to so many kids up here in Darwin and the NT. For these young kids who come from remote communities to come to the game and just to see Cyril Rioli watching the game (is a thrill). It is a small step back into the footy life and it is great to see him here.”

The ‘inspirational message’ behind Suns’ continued Darwin love affair

– Nathaniel Chambers

Gold Coast Suns coach Damien Hardwick said an inspirational message from milestone man Touk Miller’s father shone through as his players dug deep to beat Hawthorn at TIO Stadium.

The Suns were challenged heavily by Hawthorn at their Darwin fortress, but the emotional weight of the match saw the 22 players in support of their 200-gamer drag themselves to a win.

It marks eight wins in Darwin in a row, but more importantly for the squad’s development is its consecutive wins against top sides that despite being down to the wire they’ve come out on top in.

“We used a great line from his dad of ‘all gas, no breaks’ to use as inspiration,” Hardwick said.

“It’s funny how much that emotional connection can actually be of significant importance in a time of need.

“We’re excited to be playing contenders and be on the winning end which is a really important sign of the growth of this group.

“We were probably disappointing in these sort of matches last year and didn’t handle those moments as well as we’d like, but the growth is there to see.

“We couldn’t be prouder of the 22 players out that represented Touk Miller and dragged themselves over the line for that special individual for our footy club.”

The Suns remain perfect in Darwin. Picture: James Wiltshire/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Noah Anderson was huge for a second week in the Top End conditions and played out a 30 disposal game and had a wonder goal of his own.

John Noble had 35 possessions in a defensive effort that helped the Suns secure an early lead and continued to show up all night.

Hawthorn didn’t let it get away from them searching for their fourth win in a row in front of a sell-out crowd and reclaimed the lead at three quarter time.

But the Suns showed they had the conditions in their favour reclaiming the front from a contentious Ben Long free kick and another Miller goal to mark the occasion for the brilliant club servant

Mabior Chol threatened to bring it back with a wonder pick up and goal, but it wasn’t enough with everyone showing clear fatigue in the heat as time slipped away from a potential comeback.

MARK OF THE YEAR CONTENDER(S)

Jed Walter has thrown himself up for his fair share of marks this season, but he saved one of his best for Darwin.

The 19-year-old took flight from behind James Sicily and rose clear of his opponent, also beating Changkuoth Jiath, to take the absolute screamer of a hanger.

Walter was unable to back up the monster effort with a major, but it sure added to an industrious period for the Suns amid four consecutive first quarter goals.

Sicily was again the victim of a superb hanger when Long leapt him in the third quarter using the opposition player’s back as a cushion on the way down, however he couldn’t get the goal either.

Both happened to be in almost exactly the same part of the ground that Mac Andrew was hurdled by Bulldogs’ forward Buku Khamis a week before.

Jed Walter takes a hangar

YOU’RE A WIZARD, NICK

There was a smattering of wizard hats across TIO Stadium in support of Hawthorn’s x-factor man Nick Watson and he was more than happy to put on a show for them.

When the Suns threatened to pull away at the top of the second quarter it was Watson who stood up in the forward line to inspire a comeback and keep his side in the contest.

Marks behind the back of his head, forward pressure turnovers and three electrifying goals, which had him top scorer by half time, proved he had brought his full bag of tricks on the Top End trip.

He was backed up well by Jai Newcombe who had 10 disposals and four clearances to his name in the second quarter as Hawthorn staged their return.

Nick Watson kicks his third

TENSIONS ERUPT DURING THIRD QUARTER FIGHTBACK

Darwin is known for its heat and matters reached boiling point late in the third quarter as Hawthorn neared scoreline parity.

A free kick was awarded to Jai Newcombe following a tackle, but on his way to collecting the ball he and Nick Holman shared a few not so affectionate words.

Newcombe ended up scoring, narrowing the deficit to three, but during the celebrations Holman ran into sparking a mass scuffle.

The party eventually came to an end but the celebrations continued for the Hawks as they back-to-back goals from Harry Morrison and Blake Hardwick gave them the lead at the final break.

It's game on in Darwin! ðŸ‘Š

ðŸ“º Watch #AFLSunsHawks LIVE on ch. 504 or stream on Kayo: https://t.co/tEbIJrg77g
âœï¸ BLOG https://t.co/2SsGAYsRG0
ðŸ”¢ MATCH CENTRE https://t.co/SwwztMgjIU pic.twitter.com/wSxOGaad4U
— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) May 15, 2025

THE LENGTHY REVIEW

All eyes were on the umpires when local favourite Ben Long’s second goal appeared to be touched on it’s through the middle sticks.

The ball had previously appeared to look destined for a behind when Walter skidded through the boundary line, but the forward managed to handball out to Long.

Long then snapped it toward the goal with a hand outstretched from an opposition defender very nearly in his way, but it was deemed to have slipped past.