We spoke to Hawthorn’s Elite Performance Manager Andrew Russell to find out which of our Hawks have stepped up their game across the course of the pre-season.

Name: Cyril Rioli
Age: 27
Guernsey: 33
Senior games (2016): 21
Senior games (career): 178

Coming off a second consecutive All-Australian year and arguably the best season of his illustrious career, Cyril Rioli has had a pre-season which would suggest the best is still yet to come.

Rioli kicked 47 goals last year and averaged 6.1 tackles a game, in what were both career-high achievements.

Any prospect of a possible improvement on those numbers would undoubtedly have rival defenders quaking in their boots.

But Hawthorn’s Elite Performance Manager Andrew Russell believes he has seen noticeable progression and has nominated Rioli as one of the club’s most impressive performers throughout this pre-season.

“Junior came back in the best condition that he has ever come back in after the off season.
 
“His intensity and his skills are as good as I’ve seen in his 10 years at the club,” Russell said.