HAWTHORN star Cyril Rioli could make an explosive return if he's passed fit to face Port Adelaide in Saturday's preliminary final at the MCG, teammate Jack Gunston says.

Rioli has not played since he suffered a hamstring tendon injury in round 15, but is in the frame to return to take on the Power.

The electric small forward will be put to the test in a searching training session at Waverley on Monday morning when he joins the Hawks' main group.

Rioli remains in good spirits despite the long-lay off and pushed himself closer to 100 per cent at training last week, Gunston said.

"He's always up and about, Cyril. He's ready to go, he's trained pretty well lately," Gunston said on Monday.

"Hopefully he can get through the session today – I think he's joining the main group and he's going to do a full session.

"I think he was about 80 or 90 per cent last week and hopefully he can get through the session today."

If Rioli proves his fitness and lines up in the preliminary final it would be his first match for 12 weeks, but Gunston had no doubt Rioli would pick up the pace immediately.

"I'm sure Cyril won't have an issue. He's an explosive player and he's always got great touch and great feel out there in the game," Gunston said.

Rioli's return would squeeze out one of the Hawks who helped the reigning premiers to a 36-point qualifying final victory over Geelong.

Defenders Matt Suckling and Ryan Schoenmakers are also pushing for recalls, as is ruckman Ben McEvoy, who was excellent with 20 possessions and nine marks in Box Hill's VFL preliminary final triumph on Sunday.