ONLY three times in eight seasons has Cyril Rioli played 20 or more AFL matches.
The first was his debut year, 2008, when Rioli played all 25 games and the Hawks won the first of four premierships under Alastair Clarkson.
The second was in 2012, when Rioli played 23 games to be named All Australian for the first time.
In 2015, Rioli played 24 matches, was named in the All Australian team again, won the Norm Smith Medal in a premiership year and finished as runner-up in Hawthorn’s best and fairest, the Peter Crimmins Medal.
With 194 votes, the electrifying midfielder-forward finished behind only defender Josh Gibson (204 votes), a fitting reward for arguably his best season at AFL level.
“(It’s) very humbling to come second,” Rioli said on Saturday night.
“There’s a lot of good players that have played their role during the year. It’s a bit surprising, but I’ll take it.
The 26-year-old polled votes in all of his 24 matches, and was the only player to poll the maximum 16 votes in a game – the grand final.
Hampered by hamstring injuries the past two seasons, Rioli said he was glad to be able to play consistently.
“It was a bit surprising playing as many games as I did this year, but credit to the fitness staff and everyone involved,” he said.
“At the start of the pre-season we set ourselves a plan… and to follow that up in the season. I’m honestly just glad to be out there week to week with the boys and playing football.”
Rioli finished with 42 goals for the season, averaging 15.3 disposals and 4.3 tackles per match.
He polled the most votes of any Hawk in Rounds 8, 14, 20 and the grand final, and the equal most votes in Rounds 7 and 16.
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