AFL players have taken to social media to respond to the shock news of Cyril Rioli's immediate retirement.

Teammates and opponents alike have posted of their admiration for the Hawthorn champion and his impact on the game.

Thanks for entertaining us over all these years brother going to miss watching you play, you’re a role model to all the brothers and sisters in AFL and to all people around Australia, I wish you and your family all the best. What a Career Premierships: 2008, 2013, 2014, 2015 Norm Smith Medal: 2015 All Australian: 2012, 2015, 2016

A post shared by Eddie Betts (@eddiebthe3rd) on Jul 3, 2018 at 7:24pm PDT

Thanks for inspiring millions to play this game @CyrilRioli33! On and off the field influenced not just indigenous Australians but our whole nation, thanks brother and enjoy retirement! Absolute freak of a player ✊

— chad wingard (@chadwingard20) July 4, 2018

What a career . Plenty of special memories Nothing Compares to the friendship we have gonna miss playing alongside you. All the best for the future brother boy.

A post shared by Paul Puopolo (@paul_puopolo) on Jul 3, 2018 at 6:55pm PDT

Cyril Rioli

— Charles Cameron (@Charles__23) July 4, 2018

What a privilege it was to play footy with you for 5 years. You went from being my favourite player to becoming my best mate/big brother. All the memories we have shared over this journey I will never forget. Going to miss watching that Tiwi magic out on the MCG. Love you jrboy ❤️

A post shared by Bradley Hill (@bradleyhill10) on Jul 3, 2018 at 5:14pm PDT

I’ll miss making sure browny is on Cyril and I’m as far away as possible!! Nightmare to play against, a pleasure to watch. Congrats on an amazing career @CyrilRioli33

— Brodie smith (@Brodiesmith33) July 4, 2018

Going to miss seeing you put on a show and learning off you every weekend unks! After watching you on TV and me getting drafted I am so lucky to have played against you and something that I will never forget. Thanks for all the memories Uncle Junior Boy #Idol

A post shared by 1DanielRioli7 (@17rioli) on Jul 3, 2018 at 7:49pm PDT

Well done to the little master! Lucky to have had the best seat in the house watching him do his thing! Amazing career. Thanks for the memories Junior boy! #special #delicious #4time

A post shared by Grant Birchall (@birchall14) on Jul 3, 2018 at 7:45pm PDT

Thankyou brother for being a champion role model and idol to a lot of us. Congrats on a stellar career, the game won’t be the same without some Cyril magic pic.twitter.com/hGSiElBtKE

— Nic Naitanui (@NicNat) July 4, 2018

The reason our game is so awesome, and my favourite player from the modern era. Plenty of fishing and hunting to be done now Brother.#FourTime #Normie pic.twitter.com/GEQCz6Mtnu

— Andrew McLeod (@bunji_XXIII) July 4, 2018

Fantastic career by Cyril Rioli was amazing to watch and never fun to play against. All the best moving forward

— Scott Pendlebury (@SP_10) July 4, 2018

I can’t explain how good it was playing next to this jet for 10 years. Enjoy retirement buddy and thanks for everything.

A post shared by Luke Hodge (@hodgey015) on Jul 3, 2018 at 10:44pm PDT

One of my most favourite players growing up! Privileged to have played along side you for the small amount of time I did have with you #StarStruck. Thank you for being an idol and a motivator to all us younger ones Wish you all the very best my brother ✊ #33

A post shared by jarmanimpey (@jarmanimpey) on Jul 3, 2018 at 10:28pm PDT

Unbelievable career brother, helped myself and the family so much. Wishing you all the best and see you when I’m back home ❤️ the Anderson #33

A post shared by Jed Anderson (@jed_anderson3) on Jul 3, 2018 at 10:37pm PDT

Cyril one hell of a player. Never fun to play against but always great to watch. Good luck mate.

— Joel Selwood (@joelselwood14) July 4, 2018

It’s been a privilege and going to miss playing alongside this legend! Thanks for all the good times on and off the field. Enjoy retirement brother! #33

A post shared by Liam Shiels (@liamshiels) on Jul 3, 2018 at 11:19pm PDT

Brothers for life❤️

A post shared by Shaun Burgoyne (@shaunburgoyne9) on Jul 3, 2018 at 11:18pm PDT

Cyril Rioli retirement feels like a death A sad day for @HawthornFC and AFL football lovers #freak

— Shane Crawford (@SCrawf9) July 4, 2018

Going to miss watching you showing us what is a Tiwi Magic.
Thanks for the great show you put on for us and that we can do the same and show our skills and magic when we go out and play the game we love.

Thanks you Jr Boy⭐️ pic.twitter.com/Wn5pnL0JhE

— Anthony McTipungwuti (@McTipungwuti43) July 4, 2018