Rioli on radar if he has rethink

EVERY AFL list manager must get Cyril Rioli’s phone number.

Let’s call it a longshot for now, but what if one of the game’s greatest ever small forwards gets the bug to play again? It might only be a gutfeel at this stage, but there are a couple of Rioli’s mates who think the champion goalkicker is a small chance to make an AFL comeback.

And he has family links at Richmond (Daniel Rioli), West Coast (Willie Rioli), Essendon (Jake Long) and don’t forget his great mate and cousin at St Kilda, Ben Long.

A senior club figure said yesterday: “Clearly he has got some things to sort out, but every club will be asking the question later in the year. You would be mad not too, but it’s still long odds.”

Just don’t tell Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson, who yesterday said he didn’t want to “handcuff” Rioli to the club.

“I take it on face value that if a guy’s retiring then he’s made a decision to walk away from the game,” Clarkson said.

“I think it’s important that we don’t try to [talk him into playing on], this needs to be authentic and genuine and it’s been something we’ve been dealing with on a regular basis with him.”

For one reason or another, it seems like his golden time is over at Hawthorn, and if he did ever attempt a comeback, as some suspect, if would be a fresh start.

Rioli is also only 28, and has headed home to Darwin with his wife after telling the Hawks he had lost the fire to compete at AFL level. The joyous forward changed the game with his searing pressure, selfless knock-ons and silky skill.

But the question now is what if Rioli gets the urge back? What if he begins to miss the game?

If Rioli’s mindset does ever change, he would be one of the most sought-after players in the game. You would be negligent, from a recruiting perspective if you didn’t maintain contact, just in case.