HAWTHORN'S Cyril Rioli has admitted he is still suffering the effects of a groin injury that plagued his summer.

Despite starring in the club's past two matches against the Western Bulldogs and Geelong, Rioli is still being nursed along from the groin injury that he says is similar to osteitis pubis.

"It was something along the lines of that (OP)," he said.

"The only solid hit-out I will get is the games now. The week’s pretty light for me. I'm getting a lot of physio and extra rubs. Recovery during the week and a big hit-out during the game."

In an exclusive rare interview on hawthornfc.com.au, Rioli says he is yet to return to full match fitness.

"I've probably still got a bit to go. I've been running solidly for about four weeks. I'm trying to get that match fitness but everything's pretty good," he said.

"It's just about getting that match fitness. I'm still pretty buggered after games and that's because I haven't done much over summer."

Rioli might not have had the ideal preparation for season 2010 but he says he had no setbacks since the initial injury diagnosis.

"In January I had a bit of a groin pain. I stopped training for about six weeks. That was pretty much the only hiccup. I didn't do anything for six weeks apart from swimming. I got up and running for a month and got back playing."

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