NAB AFL Rising Star: round 6

HAWTHORN forward Cyril Rioli has won the NAB AFL Rising Star nomination for round six.

Rioli, 18, was nominated for his two-goal haul against the Tigers in Sunday, a highlight in what has been an exciting start to his AFL career.

One of Rioli’s goals could be a contender for the Toyota AFL Goal of the Year. Late in the third quarter, he broke a tackle from Matthew Richardson before threading an incredible snap from 35 metres.

The wonder goal brings Rioli’s tally to eight for the season, but the crumbing forward has also impressed with his defensive skills and ability to apply pressure in Hawthorn’s forward 50.

Despite playing every game so far in his debut year, Rioli is modest about his achievements.

“Coming into the season I didn’t even think I was going to get a game and now it’s all happening,” Rioli said.

“It’s good being one of the favourites (for the NAB AFL Rising Star Award).

“I just like my footy so it doesn’t really matter to me. I’ll just keep it in the back of my mind.”

Rioli was an All-Australian for the Northern Territory at under-18 level last year and comes from good football stock. He’s related to Maurice Rioli, Dean Rioli and former Essendon champion Michael Long. Hawthorn’s first round selection in the 2007 NAB AFL Draft, he was picked at 12th overall.

Rioli joins Bachar Houli (Essendon), Josh Hill (Western Bulldogs), Rhys Palmer (Fremantle), Kieran Jack (Sydney Swans) and Ben McKinley (West Coast) as contenders for this year’s NAB AFL Rising Star Award.