STAR Hawthorn forward Cyril Rioli is back running as he recovers from a left knee injury but won't return before the Hawks' round 12 bye.
Rioli, 28, was hurt in round four against Melbourne. It was the same knee that ended his 2017 season last May.
"I was in a brace for the first two (weeks) and I've been out of it for the last week and started doing some straight-line running," Rioli told Melbourne radio station SEN.
"I've been lucky enough to actually do some leg strength."
Hawthorn, which sits 5-3 after Friday night's gripping eight-point loss to Sydney, will not have Rioli back in the next month.
"Don't know when (I'll return) but hopefully early rounds after the bye," Rioli said.
The four-time premiership player confirmed he considered retirement over the pre-season as he dealt with his father's heart attack, as reported by AFL.com.au.
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"I know I can play the game still, but at the end of the day family is very important to me and my loved ones and being home, so there were a lot of things running through my head," Rioli said.
Rioli (centre) shares a laugh with teammates in round two this season. Picture: AFL Photos
His coach Alastair Clarkson visted Rioli in the Alice Springs over that time and kept in frequent contact.
Rioli spoke in glowing terms about how Hawthorn handled the situation, with teammates Paul Puopolo, Shaun Burgoyne and Brendan Whitecross also supportive.
"The club were really good in terms of giving me my own space, I guess, with the players knowing," Rioli said.
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"There's 48 players on the list and everyone's messaging me. I obviously had my close (friends), 'Poppy' and Shauny and all those guys who I kept in close contact with. Whitey (as well."
The 2015 Norm Smith medallist admitted the lure of returning home to the Northern Territory.
"There are things that have happened, not only in the last six months or the last year, but just throughout my footy career, with being away from home and being away from family and things actually happening," Rioli said.
"I feel a bit of guilt that I haven't spent time with loved ones who have passed but I know in a sense that they would be (saying), 'Nah, we want you to live your dream, we want you to play footy'.
"That's probably been something that's helped me along the way, is knowing that they'd want me to live my life to the fullest and play football."
Rioli hopes to return to the NT to play football after his AFL career ends.
"I've still got a lot of cousins that play up north ... St Mary's, which is my club back home. Obviously got the Tiwi Bombers too so we'll see how the body is, but I'd love to play back home," Rioli said.
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