‘It’s special’: AFL in a frenzy over footage of ex-teammates

AFL commentators all said the same thing as a Hawthorn legend made a rare public appearance following a sad falling out.

Hawthorn champion Cyril Rioli made a welcome appearance at the footy on Thursday night in Darwin to watch a clash between his former side and a Gold Coast team featuring his cousin Daniel Rioli in the opening match of the Sir Doug Nicholls Round.

FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer.

The four-time premiership Hawk, who has been estranged from his club in recent years amid a dispute about the racism he and others experienced at the club, had been invited to attend club training and the match by Hawthorn.

Senior coach Sam Mitchell, who captained Rioli in the 2008 premiership and played alongside the dynamic half-forward during the Hawks period of dominance between 2013 and 2015, said in Darwin this week it would be great to see the 2015 Norm Smith Medallist.

“I know Cyril’s been invited and 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. I don’t really have any more information to add to it, unfortunately.”

Hawks great Cyril Rioli is in the house at TIO Stadium.

Broadcast cameras captured the 35-year-old, who opted against attending Hawthorn’s recent centenary celebration at the MCG, enjoying the match during the first term.

Fox Footy expert analyst Jordan Lewis, who played alongside Rioli in the Hawthorn premiership era, said he was delighted the three-time All Australian was in attendance.

“Geez he was a good player. If you ever saw Cyril one out on the wing, you would just kick it in his direction. We would love to have seen a lot more of him,” he said.

Shaun Burgoyne, who was providing boundary comments on the match for Fox Footy, was also pleased to spot the champion.

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

“Getting back to the footy is the first step for him. We’ll get him to enjoy watching Hawthorn play again. I’m not sure if it is on behalf of Hawthorn that he is here or if it is on his own accord ... but the fans still love him and it is good to see him back here watching the footy.”

Indigenous great Eddie Betts said the appearance of Rioli was inspiring given the status he holds in the game and also across the Northern Territory.

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

“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.”

Everyone in football was saying the same thing, including Gold Coast star Daniel Rioli, Cyril’s cousin.

“It’s good to see him watching the footy,” Rioli said in a post-game interview with Channel 7.

“I love him.”

Footy pundit Kane Cornes also called it an important moment.

“Seeing Cyril Rioli there, how special,” Cornes said on Seven.

“Sitting next to Luke Hodge, his former skipper appear, you can tell how much it means, a smile on his face. What a hero he is and what a moment that is.”

Rioli, who retired midway through the 2018 season to return back to Darwin for family reasons, 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.

Hawthorn and a group of former players including the Indigenous All Star representative reached a settlement last November, with the club releasing a statement on behalf of all parties.

Cyril Rioli with Luke Hodge. Photo: Channel 7.

“Hawthorn accepts that the allegations were made in good faith, and has heard, respects, and accepts that they represent their truths,” the statement read.

“Hawthorn is sorry and apologises that the former players, partners, and their families, in either pursuing a football career, or in supporting such a person, experienced ongoing hurt and distress in their time at the club.”

Additionally, the Hawks agreed to establish a First Nations advisory committee, develop and implement a First Nations strategic plan and expand the role of its Indigenous player development manager after mediation between the parties.

The impact racism has had on Indigenous players has been the subject of discussion in the lead in to Sir Doug Nicholls Round, with several players including the former Hawk’s cousin Willie Rioli too often subjected to the scourge on social media channels.

It is now a decade since Sydney Swans champion Adam Goodes was driven from football by relentless booing in matches.

MELBOURNE, VICTORIA - OCTOBER 03: Cyril Rioli of the Hawks. (Photo by Michael Dodge/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Goodes has not attended an official AFL function since then, though Swans coach Dean Cox said the dual-Brownlow Medallist remained influential at the club.

“He’s had as big of an impact on this football club as any player,” Cox said.

“I think with Adam, he still spends some time coming into the footy club, which is great to see. Everyone knows the impact he had on the game and what he stood for, which is an unbelievable thing for someone to stand up for what they believe in, and Adam did that.”

Earlier this year, former Hawthorn premiership captain Luke Hodge said he hoped Rioli would one day feel able to return to the club.

“We understand that Hawthorn and Cyril haven’t come to the stage where Cyril feels comfortable back in the football club just yet, but time heals all wounds and we’re hoping it gets to that stage with Cyril,” he said.

Fox Footy’s Jon Ralph confirmed Rioli met with his premiership skipper in Hodge while at the Darwin match.

But Rioli was not there in attendance with Hawthorn.

“Baby steps as the AFL tries to engage with him and get him back slowly towards the game,” Ralph said.

“It is an encouraging step for him and his wife Shannon.

“He didn’t accept the Hawthorn invitation to attend training yesterday – he isn’t at the game with Hawthorn.

“Everyone at Hawthorn is trying to work through this … they know they can’t rush him in any way.”

Originally published as ‘It’s special’: AFL in a frenzy over footage of ex-teammates