Hawthorn fans could see fan favourite Cyril Rioli as early as next week, with the four-time premiership Hawk in the mix for Round 1 following a delayed start to the pre-season. 

“Cyril is in the last stages of his preparation for the season,” Director of High Performance Andrew Russell said during the club’s injury report this week. 

“He’s looking great and he’s training really well, if anyone had have come out to training over the last few weeks they would have seen that his intensity has gone through the roof.

“The boys are getting excited by what he’s producing on the training track and we are as well. 

“He’s going to be right in the mix for Round 1.”

Kaiden Brand returned to Box Hill over the weekend having recovered from a thumb injury, and will be available for selection next week.

Watch the above video for updates for O’Brien, Frawley, Shiels and more ahead of next week’s Round 1 clash with the Pies.