33. Cyril Rioli

[philhawk]

http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2007/11/25/2688_ntsport.html

http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/1769/23motlopdy2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Territory boys continue an AFL tradition
25Nov07


FRIENDLY RIVALS: Cyril Rioli and Marlon Motlop will continue a family tradition of playing in the AFL following the selections to Hawthorn and Port Adelaide respectively in yesterday's draft. Picture: BRAD FLEET
TWO more Territory footballers were inscribed on to the AFL honour board yesterday when Cyril "Junior Boy" Rioli and Marlon Motlop joined Hawthorn and Port Adelaide.

Rioli, 18, was Hawthorn's first pick at the AFL Draft and Motlop Port Adelaide's second.

A computer malfunction meant Rioli heard news of his drafting by Hawthorn second-hand.

Had he been listening on the internet he would not have waited long because the Hawks swooped with pick No.12 on a player they believe could fill a small forward role for the next 10 years.

Rioli, who watched the draft with his family and friends at St Marys Football Club yesterday, said he was ecstatic to be picked by the Hawks.

"I got up this morning and was trying to get the computer working, but it didn't quite work," he said. "I didn't hear the draft and then lost track of time, but I got a few phone calls and messages and my manager spoke to me and then ended up talking to the Hawthorn officials."

A nephew of Michael Long and Maurice Rioli, Cyril's uncle Willie played reserves football at Hawthorn during the club's halcyon days of the late 1980s and early '90s.

A Melbourne club was always his first choice after boarding at Scotch College this year, which is only two big torpedo punts away from Hawthorn's former home at Glenferrie Oval.

"I lived just down the road from their club when I was doing my schooling in Melbourne so they've kept a close eye on me.

"Growing up in Darwin and wanting to play AFL, it's great to get a chance to play alongside Shane Crawford and Lance Franklin," Rioli said.

[CharlieMitchell]

Good read Phil :thumbsu:

The boy looks good in the brown and gold, and it's good to hear he is excited by the oppurtunity of playing with some of our other boys.

Bring on 08.

[RustyHawk]

Good stuff Phil :thumbsu:

[philhawk]

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,22055023-5012734,00.html

Electrifying Rioli boots seven
By Grey Morris
July 11, 2007
CYRIL Rioli gave his AFL draft prospects a boost yesterday when he booted seven goals for Northern Territory in the under-18 championship match against Queensland at Victoria Park.

Rioli, who turns 18 on Saturday, is the nephew of former Richmond great and 1982 Norm Smith medallist Maurice Rioli and former Essendon stars Dean Rioli and Michael Long.

He was electrifying at full forward in Territory Thunder's 26-point win over the favoured Queenslanders.

The Essendon connection could see the St Mary's (NTFL), NT Thunder and Scotch College product at Windy Hill next season if Kevin Sheedy and his recruiting staff can stitch up a deal.

Cyril Rioli's uncles - Dean Rioli (100 games) and Norm Smith medallist Michael Long (190 games) - were celebrated players with the Bombers.

And he had some interested observers watching him from the boundary line yesterday.

Essendon forward Alwyn Davey, his broken left arm in a sling, two-time Essendon premiership player Long and his dad Cyril "Junior" Rioli watched every mark and kick.

Other draft hopefuls who played in Thunder's winning side yesterday were Peter Rolfe from Alice Springs, Marlon Motlop, Trevor Oliver, Cameron Stokes and Austin Wonaeamirri.

Stokes (Sturt) and Wonaeamirri (Norwood) are playing in the SANFL.

Oliver, the best player on the ground yesterday, is a regular at WAFL club East Perth.

The Rioli-inspired Northern Territory booted six goals to one in the last quarter to overrun a Queensland side that led for the first three quarters.

In another twist, Thunder coach Damian Hale, the "other" person in the Chris Tarrant incident at a Darwin nightclub last month, took charge of his last match before he resigns next month.

Hale is challenging sitting member Dave Tollner for the federal seat of Solomon in the Northern Territory.

[philhawk]

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,22777126%255E19742,00.html

http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/1592/01658575622600sx5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Rioli graduates from knocks
18 November 2007 Sunday Herald Sun
Jon Ralph
IF Matthew Kreuzer is the most complete player in Saturday's national draft, Cyril Rioli might still prove to be the most eye-catching.


Recruiters were not so much thrilled by how much "Junior" achieved this year, but by what he was able to display despite setbacks.

The Tiwi Islander - nephew of legends Michael Long and Maurice Rioli - shone in his final year with Scotch College despite a broken collarbone and a severely damaged ankle.

Tipped to go anywhere from pick five to 25, Rioli is a flashy left-footed midfielder with speed, evasiveness and plenty of tricks.

Just recovered from the Round 1 collar-bone injury, he badly turned his ankle the week before July's national championships but still managed an outstanding seven-goal performance against Queensland.

Rioli has turned down an invitation to attend the draft in favour of a gathering with friends and family in Darwin.

But if the 18-year-old has his way, he will be very much firing on an AFL list next year, and hopefully in Victoria.

"Yeah, I am really looking forward to it. I just don't know where am going," he said.

"I have had a few clubs call me, and it's just confusing. I love playing footy, and I think I am pretty good at it, but it doesn't really matter where."

Rioli has boarded at Scotch College for four years and finished his Year 12 exams on Friday before flying north.

While he hasn't played TAC Cup football, recruiters know he is a bona fide talent, and are excited by the top-three time he ran in the draft camp's repeat 30m sprints.

But they are still to be convinced of his dedication, with his draft camp skinfolds less than brilliant and with his total commitment to AFL football not yet proven.

Rioli met the Kangaroos on Wednesday and is expected to talk to Adelaide officials in coming days.

Despite his limited preparation, Rioli was thrilled to showcase some of his skills before the array of recruiters at the national carnival.

"During the first game they played me forward, and we struggled a bit so I played midfield and I was all right there, but I struggled with fitness," he said.

"I ended up doing my ankle again and went forward, and kicked those seven goals, so I was happy."

Expected to be played as a small forward early in his career, he should turn into an outright midfielder with hard work on his endurance.

"I don't mind the half-back flank. I tend to read the ball better and, if I get my fitness up, I can be playing midfield. Just watching AFL makes me want to be out there."

[philhawk]

http://lions.com.au/Season2007/News/NewsArticle/tabid/5085/Default.aspx?newsId=53325

Top draft prospects: small/medium forwards
7:30 AM Mon 19 November, 2007 | Back
By Jason Phelan
Exclusive to AFL BigPond Network


Each player's vital statistics are as measured at the NAB AFL Draft Camp, which ran from October 2-5 at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra. The players are listed in no particular order.

Small/Medium Forwards

Cyril Rioli - Northern Territory Thunder, NT, 177.0cm, 78.9kg, DOB 14/07/89

Honours

NAB AFL All-Australian Under-18 Team 2007
Runner up to Craig Bird - Hunter Harrison Medal for the best division-two player in this year's NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.
Northern Territory representative - NAB AFL Under-18 Championships 2007
AIS-AFL Academy graduate
NAB AFL Draft Camp highlights

Repeat sprints – 24.01sec (3rd overall)
Kevin Sheehan, AFL National Talent Manager says:
"If there’s one that’s bred in the purple, it’s Cyril Rioli. He’s got uncles who are Norm Smith Medallists in Maurice Rioli and Michael Long, so with a bit of Long and Rioli blood; it’s the famous footballing blood of the Northern Territory."

"They’re both champion players at the highest level and Cyril’s father – who was Cyril Rioli as well – was an excellent player at state league level.

"This young fella has been prominent now for the Northern Territory at the under-age level for the last three years, representing them at under-16 and under-18 level, and he was All-Australian this year.

"He kicked seven goals in the last game against Queensland at the championships when he just ran rings around them with his great evasive ability. He’s quite strong overhead for his size and is a left footer who has freakish ability around goals.

"But he’s not just good close to goal; his work at stoppages through the midfield is terrific and he’s a strong tackler. He’s been down at Scotch College [in Melbourne] for the last couple of years on a scholarship, so he’s used to the southern conditions. He’s an exciting talent.

"Being a left footer you could draw comparisons with Aaron Davey, but he’s a bit like Danyle Pearce as well because he’s got that speed. With regard to endurance, his repeat sprints at Draft Camp were outstanding.

"His 6 x 30m results were excellent; he showed that ability to sprint quickly, recover and go again. His endurance didn’t test as well days later, but you can put that down to the fact that he’d had a break after having two-and-a-half years of continuous footy.

"He can build on that endurance, but his repeat speed was pretty special, so with the right lead-in, he can push up into the midfield and his clearance work suggests that also."

[philhawk]

http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2007/11/23/2667_ntsport.html

http://img103.imageshack.us/img103/4198/rioliuz1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

HOPEFUL: The Rioli Family. Kahlisha, 15, mum Kathy, Cyril "Junior Boy" , 18, and dad Cyril "Junior" have a nervous wait to find out if Junior Boy will make the AFL draft. Picture: DANI GAWLIK

Nervous wait for AFL draft hopefuls
GREY MORRIS

23Nov07

TERRITORY football will hold its breath tomorrow when the immediate AFL futures of our finest young players are decided at the national draft in Melbourne.

Cyril Rioli, Marlon Motlop, Charlie Sharples, Peter Rolfe, Charlie McAdam, Trevor Oliver, Austin Wonaeamirri, Cameron Stokes, Patrick Fittock and Tom Frawley are among the hopefuls.

CYRIL RIOLI: Could go between picks five and 20 as a small forward or midfielder. Several clubs have expressed an interest, with a phantom draft even sending him to Kangaroos.

[philhawk]

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,22806051-21543,00.html

Cloud over Rioli
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ANDREW CAPEL
November 23, 2007 01:15am
ADELAIDE has fallen in love with Northern Territory boy wonder Cyril Rioli.

In love with his talent, not his attitude.

And that is what is clouding the draft for a team armed with six selections, including four inside the top 38.

The Crows have had several "chats" with Rioli - a left-footed excitement machine who recruiting manager Matt Rendell rates as "probably the most talented player I've ever seen" - but are still to make up their mind whether he is worthy of being a top-10 pick.

Pass on him - provided he falls to Adelaide at number 10 - and the Crows will miss out on the nephew of former Richmond great Maurice Rioli and ex-Essendon champion Michael Long.

Rendell says Rioli, 18, is arguably the hardest player to draw a line on among the boys rated as sure-fire top-20 picks. "We've had some good chats with Cyril," he said.

"He's an extremely talented Aboriginal kid - probably as talented as I've ever seen - but he's also an interesting one.

"He hasn't really set anyone alight with his interviews and his testing at the draft camp also confuses the issue a fair bit. So we're not quite sure what to make of Cyril at this stage."

Rioli ticks four of the boxes Rendell looks for in players - talent, athletic ability, speed or endurance and power. His character and competitiveness are the two he questions.

But talent still might win Rendell and the rest of the Crows' recruiters over.

Adelaide needs a nippy midfielder/forward who can kick goals and Rioli - who has said he would prefer to play in Melbourne, where he has been attending school for much of the past four years, than Adelaide - has been doing that all his life.

An under-18 All-Australian this year and a part of the AIS Academy side that played Ireland in a three-Test International Rules series in 2006, Rioli, nicknamed "Junior Boy", has all the physical ingredients needed to succeed at AFL level.

And carrying the Rioli name has not been a problem for the former Scotch College (Melbourne) student.

"There's been a lot of expectations I guess that come with being a Rioli," he said. "I know it's there and my mates and the media bring it up from time to time but it's been no real concern to me."

The Rioli family will watch and listen to the draft as a group in the Darwin suburb of Karama. "I'm up here on holidays and while I was asked if I wanted to fly to Melbourne and be there, I said I wanted to be with my family," he said.

[CharlieMitchell]

Phil, you are indeed a serial Cyril stalker.

Fantastic job mate, has me hanging out to see Junior Boy in action for the mighty brown and gold and proving some of those doubters wrong with his commitment to the club and the game.

[philhawk]

Phil, you are indeed a serial Cyril stalker.

Fantastic job mate, has me hanging out to see Junior Boy in action for the mighty brown and gold.

Haha - just type in Cyril Rioli in Google and look at the number of hits!

Glad to help out. I'm definitely looking forward to watching him play.

[RustyHawk]

New Hawks to do it tough
4:02 PM Wed 28 November, 2007 | Back

By Catherine Murphy

for hawthornfc.com.au

News
TWO OF Hawthorn’s newest recruits, draftees Brendan Whitecross and Cyril Rioli, paid a visit to the 1000 Steps at the base of the Dandenong Ranges on Wednesday as they prepare to join 20 of their teammates to trek the Kokoda Track.

It will be a tough first assignment for the young Hawks, but they’re looking forward to the challenge.

“Going through the physical toughness and the mental side of things is going to be a good learning experience,” Whitecross said.

As for 18-year-old Rioli, he’s looking forward to bonding with teammates.

“They trip will be great. I’ll get to know the boys so I’m looking forward to it,” he said.

Seventeen-year-old Whitecross is living with the new Hawks’ captain Sam Mitchell until Christmas before he joins his host family.

And he insists he doesn’t feel the pressure to be on his best behaviour when in the skipper’s house.


He says his biggest problem is learning the names of all his new club mates.

But some players, such as Shane Crawford, he’s not having any trouble identifying.

“It is a bit daunting (training with those players) because you’ve grown up watching AFL and you look up to these sorts of guys, but it’s good at the same time.”

Rioli, whose personal best is a 10-goal haul in a school game and is a nephew of AFL greats Maurice Rioli and Michael Long, had been strongly linked to Essendon before the draft. But he insists he’s happy where he’s ended up.

“It doesn’t really bother me, I’m on an AFL list so I’m pretty happy.”

[delirious1]

Has he been handed out a number yet?

[NDFC]

Ive been waiting for an NT player to play for hawthorn since I heard willie rioli played ressies, along time ago. His father was a brilliant player and wasnt noticably quick from what i remember, but still had ample time to do what he wanted. Its about time hawks had a punt on an NT player and im glad it wasnt X Clarke! they almost picked him. Should have an instant impact hopefully, like Alwyn Davey. Unbeatable.:p

[Rexcellent]

Should have an instant impact hopefully, like Alwyn Davey. Unbeatable.:p

Alwyn came off the rookie list fair bit older than Junior so if he does have an instanct impact its not under the same preparation/development

[Alex_au]

Would compare Cyril Rioli more with Leroy Jetta. Both went around the same pick in each of their drafts (10-20). With both looking to be very good little goal sneaks.

[The Messenger]

Alwyn came off the rookie list fair bit older than Junior so if he does have an instanct impact its not under the same preparation/development

Actually Alwyn was picked up in the National draft 35-40 from memory as a 21 year old not from the rookie list. Aaron was elevated from the rookie list. Alwyn had played with South Adelaide seniors the year prior (r/u in b&f) so he does have more senior experience than Cyril going into his first year. I think Cyril has played a bit of senior footy in Darwin for St Mary's though.

[NDFC]

Alwyn Davey was picked in the draft!!! and it was something like pick 60 or something. Prob every club could had got him before the slumers (essendud) picked him up. Jetta is the poor mans Andrew Crackour in comparison to Cyril Rioli. He has the breeding of a thoroughbred racehorse but if he is half the player his father was he'll dominate the comp, as he appariently has some speed.

By the way Alwyn Davey wasted 4-5 years and could have dominated more when he was 18 or 19 years old, the same way he did last year. Some of the recruiting managers need to have a good hard look at themselves and throw in the towel as they haven't a clue what their doing.

[The Messenger]

Alwyn Davey was picked in the draft!!! and it was something like pick 60 or something. Prob every club could had got him before the slumers (essendud) picked him up. Jetta is the poor mans Andrew Crackour in comparison to Cyril Rioli. He has the breeding of a thoroughbred racehorse but if he is half the player his father was he'll dominate the comp, as he appariently has some speed.

By the way Alwyn Davey wasted 4-5 years and could have dominated more when he was 18 or 19 years old, the same way he did last year. Some of the recruiting managers need to have a good hard look at themselves and throw in the towel as they haven't a clue what their doing.

I don't think Cyril's old man was that good, he was a solid WAFL player from all reports.

As for Froggy being able to dominate as an 18 or 19 yr old is just dribble, he wasn't ready to play AFL footy until last year. If he was recruited as an 18 yr old he would have been given 3 years on a list and then let go because he wasn't mature enough as a footballer. Played a year at Kerang as a 19 year old and was no stand out, he did one brilliant thing a quarter and would then go missing, performing for 4 quarters is only just something he has developed the last year or two. Even his 1st year at South Adelaide was nothing to special, played mostly ressies. I think the recruiters got it exactly right with him, some guys aren't ready to play AFL at 18, Stokes at the Cats and Logan at Port are perfect examples.

[Rexcellent]

Has he been handed out a number yet?

33 is the number of "my man" for this season :p

[Big Ronnie]

Pick 12 second time round for Cyril Rioli has given him to Rexcellent.

Cyril has confided that he finds this fact almost as exciting as being drafted to the Hawks, and he promises to keep Rexcellent focused at all times!

BR:thumbsu:

[NDFC]

I don't think Cyril's old man was that good, he was a solid WAFL player from all reports.

As for Froggy being able to dominate as an 18 or 19 yr old is just dribble, he wasn't ready to play AFL footy until last year. If he was recruited as an 18 yr old he would have been given 3 years on a list and then let go because he wasn't mature enough as a footballer. Played a year at Kerang as a 19 year old and was no stand out, he did one brilliant thing a quarter and would then go missing, performing for 4 quarters is only just something he has developed the last year or two. Even his 1st year at South Adelaide was nothing to special, played mostly ressies. I think the recruiters got it exactly right with him, some guys aren't ready to play AFL at 18, Stokes at the Cats and Logan at Port are perfect examples.

Stokes and Logan are examples of what! Stokes dominated and kept his place in the side from his first game onwards. Logan hasn't been a regular player or contributor for P>A> ever? your whole message is insignificant as your comparing chalk to cheese!!

Have you ever thought to yourself maybe Frog thrives under pressure and lifts under pressure!! He lifts for the occasion, hence anzac match vs collingwood!!! thats exactly what a fan loves to see. What motivation would he have had playing in a new club at a lower level than he deserves to be in!!!

[Roughie]

Stokes and Logan are examples of what! Stokes dominated and kept his place in the side from his first game onwards. Logan hasn't been a regular player or contributor for P>A> ever? your whole message is insignificant as your comparing chalk to cheese!!


Logan was originally drafted by Brisbane and his struggle with injuries was more of the reason of him not being retained, in fact many Lions fans like the way Logan goes about his football. Logan has obviously made his stance as a regular player as he played from round 21- to the grand final. Now if this was a player who couldnt cut it, I think the last thing you would do is bring him through a finals campaign.

[NDFC]

my fact remains Alwyn frog Davey would have had no motivation to perform when playing for country or SA clubs!!! as his family wouldn't even of been there, or the lack of atmosphere and pressure!! He was a top player at age 17-19 or prob earlier and should have been snapped up!!! He played well in Palmerston Magpies back 2 back flags at that age. in the seniors.

He had conquered Darwin, then playing away in poor leagues with no atmosphere was a waste of energy for him i believe, but he got there in the end.

If you believe Davey wouldn't of been a better selection than at least 50% of players drafted since he was eligible your a fool.

[The Messenger]

my fact remains Alwyn frog Davey would have had no motivation to perform when playing for country or SA clubs!!! as his family wouldn't even of been there, or the lack of atmosphere and pressure!! He was a top player at age 17-19 or prob earlier and should have been snapped up!!! He played well in Palmerston Magpies back 2 back flags at that age. in the seniors.

He had conquered Darwin, then playing away in poor leagues with no atmosphere was a waste of energy for him i believe, but he got there in the end.

If you believe Davey wouldn't of been a better selection than at least 50% of players drafted since he was eligible your a fool.

Froggy is a super footballer and should have been snapped up when he was 18, what I am saying is that he wasn't because clubs may have noticed that apethetic approach to his footy.

Almost all the kids that are drafted are driven and push themselves as hard as possible at all times. Like you said he found playing at lower levels of footy not as challenging and as a younger guy may not have applied himself as he should have. As he has matured he has realised that he has to push himself harder all the time, which is why he had a good year at South Adelaide and why he got drafted.

If you read my original post you'll see that I said he may not have been ready to commit like he should have at 17-18. I think Froggy is a great footballer and I wish the hawks had of grabbed him when they had a chance. There is no need to get all defensive, reading your last post it would seem that you agree with me.

[noosa hawk mad]

From "The boots on the other foot" Actical HFC

“Cyril Rioli, he’s going to be that exciting in the next couple of years Hodge said


“Watching him and Buddy [Franklin] just stroll around the forward line … he’s going to be one to look [out] for.

“We’ve got three or four others, with a few rookies as well, who are all pretty exciting players.”

Hawthorn selected Rioli, Queenslander Brendan Whitecross and Dew in last year’s NAB AFL Draft.

While many draftees take time to develop, Hodge believes Hawk fans might get a chance to see each of the new batch at some stage this year.

“I’d say they all would [have the potential to play], I think,” he said.


Looking forward to seeing Junior along side Buddy,Willo and co :thumbsu:

[NDFC]

Froggy is a super footballer and should have been snapped up when he was 18, what I am saying is that he wasn't because clubs may have noticed that apethetic approach to his footy.

Almost all the kids that are drafted are driven and push themselves as hard as possible at all times. Like you said he found playing at lower levels of footy not as challenging and as a younger guy may not have applied himself as he should have. As he has matured he has realised that he has to push himself harder all the time, which is why he had a good year at South Adelaide and why he got drafted.

If you read my original post you'll see that I said he may not have been ready to commit like he should have at 17-18. I think Froggy is a great footballer and I wish the hawks had of grabbed him when they had a chance. There is no need to get all defensive, reading your last post it would seem that you agree with me.

yes. . . its all big. the thought of an arch rival (essendon) picking up frog is just hard to do. Especially as melbourne could have picked him to join his brother. I'd rather have seen him join Aaron at the demons, but having said that I really just want to see him play. and he seems to be revelling so far in bombers colours. He'll be a one man band while at essendon as they have a side of dinosours.

[TylerDurden]

He'll be a one man band while at essendon as they have a side of dinosours.

Not necessarily. They've got Jetta, Dempsey, Lovett, Winderlich and Dyson in support. None of which are slugs...

[Hawkamania!]

Rioli plays down the name game. (http://hawthornfc.com.au/tabid/4742/News/NewsArticle/Default.aspx?newsId=54898)

Junior Boy has the right attitude.:thumbsu:

[Gilbert_Hodge]

This kid is a freak. Played well tonight and has a lot of talent. Expect to see him make a big impact this year.

[keefriffhard]

Rioli gives Hawthorn a new edge.... (http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/rioli-gives-hawthorn-a-new-edge/2008/02/23/1203467464018.html)


Rioli gives Hawthorn a new edge

Karen Lyon | February 24, 2008


THERE was plenty of dazzle in Hawthorn's forward line last night — Lance Franklin and Tim Boyle standing tall, Mark Williams returning from injury, and the likes of Luke Hodge dashing forward to kick three goals, including a nine-pointer.

But it was the scintillating cameo appearances by new recruit Cyril Rioli that promised a whole new dimension to a forward line already dripping with talent.

The 18-year-old from Darwin then Scotch College brings an extraordinary pedigree to the Hawks, as a nephew of both Norm Smith medallist Maurice Rioli and Essendon great Michael Long. But it wasn't the flashy exploits of his uncles that would have impressed the Hawthorn faithful last night, but a defensive tenacity that promises to worry defenders all year.
Simply, Rioli chased and tackled and intercepted the football with aplomb. Small but solidly built, Rioli added a crumbing dimension around the ankles of Franklin and co that could just be the icing on the cake of Hawthorn's fearsome attack.

Rioli kicked his only goal of the night just inside the 20-minute mark of the opening quarter — and that came about because of his defensive pressure. The onslaught had already begun, with Hawthorn having kicked three quick goals. With the Blues under siege, the experienced Heath Scotland was attempting to get the ball out of the danger zone when Rioli pounced, grabbing Scotland in an instant and throwing him to ground, winning the free kick.

At the end of the night, Rioli's stats did not look all that impressive on paper. He had four kicks, four handballs, one mark and one goal to his famous name. He spent the bulk of the night being marked by the more experienced Ryan Houlihan and a little time in the midfield — and he will need to improve his conditioning to make an impact in the centre of the ground. But he won't need to improve his instincts.

It was the little things that impressed from the man in the No. 33 jumper. The tackle in the first quarter that ended in a goal. The precision pass to Williams in the second. The deft steal in the third. The fact that he's not a lightweight. All of these show that the No. 12 selection already looks a value pick to the Hawks.

[noosa hawk mad]

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23413891-5012432,00.html

Uncles say Junior's a natural: mark their words

http://saturn.tiser.com.au/images/AE3.gif (http://mercury.tiser.com.au/ADCLICK/CID=fffffffcfffffffcfffffffc/acc_random=95634813/SITE=TAUS/AREA=SPORT.AFL/AAMSZ=110X40/pageid=82529704)


Natasha Robinson | March 22, 2008

IT was always in the blood. From the time Cyril "Junior Boy" Rioli began to kick a footy in the grass at his home village of Pirlangimpi on the Northern Territory's Melville Island, his famous uncles spotted talent.
"It was always something special about Junior," said former Norm Smith medallist and Essendon legend Michael Long, an uncle to the young footballer. "From a very young age, there was always something special about him."
Another uncle, Maurice Rioli, Richmond centreman and also a Norm Smith medallist for best on ground in a grand final, also recognised the young footballer's talent. But few expected the 18-year-old's rise into the football elite would come so quickly.
The junior Rioli will take to the field at the MCG for his debut match tomorrow, where he will play forward pocket in Hawthorn's first match of the season, against Melbourne.
He has been earmarked as one of the young players to watch this AFL season and a leading contender for the prestigious NAB rising star award.
Unlike many young Aboriginal footballers drafted into the major league, Rioli is already familiar with Melbourne, having studied at Scotch College for four years as part of the school's scholarship program for promising young indigenous students.
The school's connection with Australian football can be traced to the birth of the game in Australia; the first recorded game of football in Australia is believed to have been a match between Scotch College and Melbourne Grammar School on August 4, 1858.
As Rioli prepares for his debut tomorrow, Long doesn't think his nephew will be pondering the historical origins of his sport.
Long is not convinced that the idea that AFL originated from an Aboriginal version of football has taken root among indigenous people.
What he does know is that the sport is central to the lives of thousands of Aboriginal people across Australia, and particularly in remote communities.
"If it is something special that indigenous players do on the field, maybe it is genetic," Long says. "It is hard to put your finger on it, but (Aboriginal) people just love playing the game."
And whether or not modern AFL originated from Aboriginal kick-to-kick games played in the 1800s, Long says anybody who watches his nephew's debut will notice the speed and agility heshares with a long list of indigenousfootballers who have excelled at the sport.
Stuart Bull, the president of Scotch College's 1858 Club, commented: "He could do anything, that kid.

[hawkstars]

Great read. Hope he has a blinder on Sunday. Go Hawks we are getting close.

[noosa hawk mad]

Cyril Rioli post match interview with Rex
http://www.mytalk.com.au/aspx/pages/...t=audio&w=8046 (http://www.mytalk.com.au/aspx/pages/mediaplayer.aspx?t=audio&w=8046):thumbsu:

[boulos]

He turned out alright for you, didn't he?:thumbsu:

[noosa hawk mad]

Clarkson: Rioli nomination will come!!!
http://sportal.com.au/afl-news-displ...ill-come-47424 (http://sportal.com.au/afl-news-display/clarkson-rioli-nomination-will-come-47424)



http://sportal.com.au/site/_content/leadimage/00019381-image.jpg

Clarkson: Rioli nomination will come

28/04/2008 1:03:51 PM
Paul Gough



Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson says he is unfazed about the seemingly weekly debate over just when his exciting goalsneak Cyril Rioli will be nominated for this year's AFL Rising Star award.

Rioli has arguably been the best newcomer to grace the AFL this season yet has been overlooked for a nomination for the league's best young player award throughout the first five rounds this season.

But after another sensational performance against Richmond on Sunday at the MCG when he gathered 19 disposals and kicked two goals, including a contender for goal of the year, Rioli is a hot favourite to finally land this week's nomination - which will be announced on Tuesday morning.



In six games so far this season 18-year-old Rioli - a nephew of arguably the game's two greatest Aboriginal players in Maurice Rioli and Michael Long - has averaged just over 15 possessions per game and nearly five tackles per game as well as having kicked a total of eight goals.
He is already considered the favourite to win this year's Rising Star award but first has to be nominated.
But Clarkson says it is only a matter of time before the Hawks' top pick in last year's draft gets his Rising Star nomination.
"It will come - he is a really exciting player for us," Clarkson said of Rioli, who was taken with pick 12 in last year's national draft.
"We are just really pleased with the contribution he has made in his six games and all those rewards and individual accolades will come in due course."
"We are more interested in him continuing to make the contribution he does and those external acknowledgements will come because he is just a quality young lad."
"So all we can ask of him is he keeps making a regular contribution to our cause.":thumbsu:
__________________

[Hawkamania!]

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,23620019-19742,00.html

Cyril grip put on big awards
Jon Ralph | April 30, 2008 12:00am

AFTER waiting five weeks for a NAB Rising Star nomination, Hawthorn's Cyril Rioli simply forced the AFL's hand. Rioli's tackling and defensive pressure has added the missing ingredient to Hawthorn's premiership mix, but it was his outlandish goal on Sunday against Richmond that meant he had to be nominated.
Perfectly crumbing a Lance Franklin spoil deep in the pocket, Rioli squeezed past Tigers Kelvin Moore and Matthew Richardson and dribbled the ball along the boundary line and through the goals.
And yesterday he revealed he had practised kicking that goal with the tumbling kick.
Not even an AFL administration sometimes questioned for its rising star nominations could ignore him.
Yesterday Rioli celebrated the nod with a nomination for the AFL's goal of the year award.
Within 48 hours of Sunday's match, the clip of Rioli's goal had attracted nearly 2000 hits on YouTube.
And by year's end, Rioli could take home a car for the goal of the year and an investment package for the Rising Star award.
"Yeah, I am (rapt). To come in and play a few games and get the NAB Rising Star (nomination) is great," Rioli said yesterday.
"I have been waiting for (the nomination), but the team is going so well so I have been just happy to play footy."
Rioli said he had worked hard with coach Alastair Clarkson to hone his amazing goal sense.
"I couldn't believe it (the goal) myself. I have been practising down here, down on the ground, with a lot of snaps, and that gave me the confidence. "With Clarko I do some snaps and goalkicking and dribble goals.
"I saw it bounce towards the point post, but it bounced back, so it was pretty good."
Ranked third in the AFL for tackles inside the forward 50m, the 18-year-old has quickly become a Hawthorn cult figure.

[Hawkamania!]

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,23621175-19767,00.html

Money flows to Rioli
Jon Anderson | April 30, 2008 12:00am

CYRIL Rioli is a warm favourite for the NAB Rising Star after his Round 6 nomination yesterday. Flemington Sportsbet's Norm Short said the Hawthorn forward was a $3.50 favourite for the award after his firm had offered $41 in early markets.
"There are times you wish you didn't bet on everything, and the NAB Rising Star is shaping as one of those," Short said.
"We offered $41 about Rioli pre-season and a few of the smarties, who either knew him from APS football with Scotch College or from the NAB Cup, took the big odds. I don't like looking at his fluctuations.
"We now have Rioli at $3.50 ahead of Rhys Palmer ($5.50), Tom Hawkins and Matthew Kreuzer ($10) and Bacha Houli and Matthew Leuenberger ($15).
"The player I like is Palmer, who is just an absolute natural."
Glenn Jakovich, a selector for the award, agreed with Short, saying Palmer had caught his eye.
"He has been an absolute stand-out," Jakovich said.
"It was Palmer, and another first-year player in Garrick Ibbotson, who stood up in the last quarter against Geelong on Friday night.
"I was asking myself, 'Where are the senior players?'.
"Palmer and Ibbotson were working the hardest to get their team back into it when Geelong was surging.
"Palmer plays football a bit like Joel Selwood, who won the award last year.
"Palmer looks like a 50-plus game player, rather than someone who has played six, the way he takes on players.
"Cyril Rioli has really impressed as well, the way he has slotted into that side. And Tom Hawkins just gets better all the time."
Players who look value over the season are Ibbotson ($28) and Hawthorn's Travis Tuck ($51), who is out injured.
Hawthorn insiders see Tuck as a 200-game player.A lot of Territorians have put money on Rioli as well.

[Hawkamania!]

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,23635685-19742,00.html

ASK Cyril about his footballing heroes and he flashes that cheeky smile while offering an answer that quickly fades to a whisper. Question him about why he loves footy, and he says he just likes kicking goals.
As he rebuffs interrogation with one-word answers, your mind wavers to his little wispy moustache and cropped Afro hairdo.
There's not much of him, you think to yourself.
And then you realise you have fallen into the trap like everyone else.
You have underestimated Cyril "Junior Boy" Rioli.
It has happened to the opponents who give him latitude, then find him shredding their side with frenzied tackling pressure, his lightning side-step and his glorious left foot.
Most famously, it happened to the handful of clubs who overlooked him and allowed Hawthorn to swoop at pick 12 in last year's national draft, snaring a player who looks every bit a future champion.

Related Links
Pictures: Cyril Rioli returns to Scotch College. (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/gallery/0,22010,5031365-19894,00.html)

At just 18 and after only six games, NAB Rising Star favourite Rioli is already putting his remarkable stamp on the competition.
So where has he come from, and how did a player rated by some as a top-five selection manage to become the most recent Hawthorn draft bargain since Lance Franklin?
Cousin Dean Rioli, whose father Sebastian is one of eight talented Rioli brothers, says he first witnessed Cyril's freakish talents a decade ago.
Cyril, often referred to as only "Junior", is actually the son of Cyril Jr, hence "Junior Boy".
Grandfather Cyril was a Tiwi elder, and when the youngest Cyril returned to the islands to play, it was truly breathtaking.
"Most of us kids grew up playing against young Tiwi Islands kids and spent most of our time chasing them," Dean Rioli says.
"That's all we did - chase fast Aboriginal kids. Going back when he was about eight, Cyril was the opposite. He had them chasing him. To match it with those Tiwi kids, you knew he would be something special."
Cyril's breeding was unparalleled - his mother Kathy is a sister of champion Michael Long and his father Cyril Jr is a 12-time premiership player in the Northern Territory Football League.
Father Cyril has seven brothers, among them Willy (at Hawthorn in 1990-1) and Richmond's 1982 Norm Smith medallist Maurice.
"He has the Rioli strength, and the Long magic, so he's bred in the purple," NT footy chief Tony Frawley said.
And while he thrived in the Northern Territory, the Rioli family was happy to accept a Scotch College scholarship that landed Cyril in Melbourne at just 14.
A boarder from Year 9, he instantly became a cult figure.
In the first 18 by Year 10, he quickly amassed a highlights tape that involved him regularly standing on rivals' heads.
He kicked goal after freakish goal, with footage of those games showing him flashing in from off the screen before taking an imperious bounce and slotting another long-range goal.
By the start of 2007, every recruiter in the land had identified him as a player to watch.
But despite some exceptional football that year, the doubts began to pile up. A Round 1 collarbone injury held him back, then he badly turned his ankle in the week before July's national championships.
Playing as a leading small forward against Tasmania at Victoria Park, he still kicked seven sublime goals.
It was an incredible performance on one leg, yet some discounted it as beating up on a moderate second-division outfit.
At the draft camp, he was unimpressive in interviews and recruiters wondered if he cared enough about football.
He notched a top-three performance in the repeat 20m sprints test, but was in the last handful of runners in the 3km time-trial and was otherwise unimpressive.
Suddenly, the detractors were piling up. Quick but not jet-quick, a good kid but not devoted, unfit and unlikely to develop into an elite runner.
By draft day, he had slipped from a top-five certainty, and in swept the Hawks.
"We were somewhat surprised to secure him at pick 12. Certainly our recruiting staff had played Cyril in the six best players in the draft," list manager Chris Pelchen said.
"Some clubs had questioned the likelihood of him adapting and his lack of fitness, but we saw it as an opportunity.
"If he was playing so well with a poor fitness base, how good could he be when he got it right?"
Pelchen credits recruiters Graham Wright and Gary Buckenara for doing the work to dispel the misconceptions about Rioli.
The Hawks discovered Rioli was doing extra fitness work with the Scotch College curator, evidence of his dedication.
They spoke to enough coaches and close supporters to realise Rioli was not uninterested, just relaxed.
As manager Dan Richardson, of Elite Sports Properties, said: "He is fairly quiet and he came across too laidback, that he didn't really care about footy enough. But he loves his footy and all he wants to do is play footy.
"Most clubs interviewed him and Hawthorn deserves credit for backing their judgment and backing their program to develop him where a lot of clubs weren't prepared to."
That grounds curator turned out to be Scotch assistant coach Mick Smith, who spent time in the Collingwood reserves and combines personal training with managing the private school's grounds.
"We finished the season in August and started doing a couple of running sessions a week," Smith said.
"We would go for a 5km run after school around the (Yarra) Boulevard, and it's fair to say he wasn't a big wrap for running unless it involved footy. He struggled a bit and no doubt at times he wanted to pull over, but I had to push him along. He got fitter and fitter and he had a goal of getting drafted that was on his mind all the time."
By Year 12, Rioli's status among his peers was unrivalled: "We would run through the students as they finished school and they would be yelling, 'Go Junior, go Junior'."
Just as uncle Maurice became renowned for his boxing skills, Cyril thrived on the sweet science.
"He embraced boxing. I was amazed with his technique. It got to the point where I reckon he could be a golden gloves. He is so quick it's unbelievable," Smith said.
Only days after Rioli was drafted, he set off on the Kokoda Track: "I must admit I was a little concerned. I thought he might end up on one of those stretchers, but by all reports he got through it well," Smith said.
On that trek Hawthorn soon found his appetite for hard work was healthy. And that he was a born tackler who was just waiting for another level to rise to.
But if eager fans think it is the Tambling-Franklin scenario all over, even Hawthorn concedes that appraisal is too simplistic.
In a draft in which the top dozen clubs had specific requirements, Cyril's status as a small forward dissuaded several.
The top five picks were set (Matthew Kreuzer, Trent Cotchin, Chris Masten, Cale Morton, Jarrad Grant) and look excellent investments.
From there Essendon and Fremantle took classy midfielders (David Myers and Rhys Palmer), then the Brisbane Lions and St Kilda took much-needed talls (Lachie Henderson and Ben McEvoy).
Hawthorn knew Adelaide (selection 10) and Sydney (pick 11) were both in the mix for Rioli.
"It is fair to say we had some trepidation that the Adelaide Crows might select him," Pelchen said.
But Adelaide went for boom Geelong Falcons midfielder Patrick Dangerfield and Sydney took utility/tall midfielder Patrick Veszpremi.
Luck and timing also played its part.
Hawthorn's recruiting model had seen it stock up on a swag of key talls in the 2005-7 drafts and now the need for a crumbing forward was glaring.
If Cyril had arrived a year earlier, he could have been someone else's prize.
"It was pretty obvious Hawthorn needed a small forward," said one rival recruiter with a pick before the Hawks.
"He always had the lightning hands and a little bit of magic, but he had a fair bit of injury and he didn't interview well.
"We probably still tend to judge Aboriginal talent harshly, but once they get on the big stage, it is almost as if that is where they belong, and they seem to blossom."
The consensus among recruiters this week was that in a strong top dozen selections, Rioli was a bargain, but not of Franklin proportions.
Cousin Dean said the Scotch experience allowed Rioli to settle in without the extreme homesickness that hit many indigenous youngsters.
"That was the best thing for him, to leave Darwin at such a young age," Dean said.
"He's pretty shy and quiet, but he's a good kid. He is not one of those kids who gets big-headed. He's never been arrogant."
A host of indigenous kids are now coming through the Scotch program.
Geelong's Nathan Djerrkura graduated in 2006, with another five indigenous kids now boarding at Scotch, among them Cyril's cousin Shannon.
Now Hawthorn, the club which admits it was borderline racist when Cyril's uncle Willy arrived nearly two decades ago, is nurturing the latest of the Rioli clan.
And although you won't hear Junior Boy saying it - or much else, to be honest - his relatives believe he could be the best of the Riolis yet.
Check out the photos link in the quoted article. Rioli is wearing the official foot ware of the Northern Territory: thongs.:D

[Gumbleton4Life]

a total excitement machine. great addition to the harthorn list - the sort of x factor they need to win the flag in 09

[#6 Mark Williams]

A better version of the Davey brothers IMO.

[Hawkamania!]

A better version of the Davey brothers IMO.

Add Cam Stokes to the mix (he will be a 200+ game player for us), with Osborne's experience, we should have the best forward pressure in the AFL for the next few years and possibly longer.

Also, remember that Junior Boy is only 18. Wait till he's had a couple of seasons and he will be one of the best players in the AFL.

[nigelbs]

Whilst I love the brilliance of Junior Boy (as on display in the game against Melbourne) what I admire most is his work ethic. His second and third efforts are outstanding - he 'creates' goals.

If I was 45 years younger I would be running around kicking a footy with 33 on my back.

As it was I had 11 (Kevin Coverdale).

[Hodgepodge]

Kicked a couple of brilliant and invaluable goals, tackled, harassed, is a player that can get the team back into the game with a stint in the midfield.

[#6 Mark Williams]

Kind of unfortunate he goes missing some times, but I'm sure once he gets more games under his belt he will have a lot more consistancy.

[HAWKS HEROES]

make sure you vote for him in mark of the year

Rioli's leap needs your votes



HAWK Cyril Rioli is in the running for the Toyota AFL Mark of the Year for his high-flying grab over Cats defender Harry Taylor in the third quarter of Friday night's clash.
Hawks fans can view and vote for Rioli's mark here (http://www.afl.com.au/markgoal).
Voting is open until Sunday night.
In 2008, the winner of the Toyota AFL Mark of the Year award will receive:
- The use of a TRD Aurion for 12 months, presented by Toyota
- $5000 for their grassroots club, presented by Toyota
- A crystal replica of the official perpetual Toyota AFL Mark of the Year trophy
- The Alex Jesaulenko Medal
After the 22 rounds of the Toyota AFL Premiership Season, the AFL All-Australian selection committee will decide the overall winner from the weekly winners.
The awards will be the presented during 2008 Toyota AFL Grand Final week.

http://www.hawthornfc.com.au/tabid/4742/Default.aspx?newsid=64380

http://www.afl.com.au/competitions/markgoal/index.html

[HAWKS HEROES]

won the rd 17 marking nomination