BRACE yourselves, Hawks fans - you're about to face an impossible choice. 

Who is your pick for The Deadliest out of four-time Hawthorn premiership star Cyril Rioli and his silky-skilled teammate for the 2013-15 flags, Shaun Burgoyne?

>> WHO WILL WIN? SCROLL DOWN THE PAGE TO REGISTER YOUR VOTE

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As a feature of the new Yokayi Footy show on NITV and AFL.com.au (every Wednesday night at 8pm AEDT) the 16 contenders to be the Greatest Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander player have been placed into a tournament-style bracket, based on their career achievements and the selectors' votes.

Shaun Burgoyne and Cyril Rioli with the 2015 premiership cup. Picture: AFL Photos

THE DEADLIEST How were the 16 contenders chosen, and who missed out? 

Week 1 results

The opening round of The Deadliest pitted modern-day greats Lance Franklin and Eddie Betts against each other, along with the intriguing choice between Brownlow medallist Gavin Wanganeen and AFL Hall of Fame Legend Barry Cable. The results were: 

  • Lance Franklin  71% v Eddie Betts 29%
  • Barry Cable  51% v Gavin Wanganeen 49%

Franklin moves on to face the winner of Shaun Burgoyne v Cyril Rioli, while Cable will face the winner of 'Polly' Farmer v Michael O'Loughlin

How the match-ups for The Deadliest shape up

Match-up 3: Shaun Burgoyne v Cyril Rioli

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Shaun Burgoyne

  • Port Adelaide/Hawthorn
  • Kokatha/Warai
  • 376 games, 290 goals, four-time Premiership player, 2006 All-Australian team

In 2019 Shaun Burgoyne overtook Adam Goodes for the most VFL/AFL games played by an Indigenous player.

While Burgoyne might not be the flashiest of players any more, his form has barely dipped since his debut in 2001.

His nickname ‘Silk’ perfectly sums up his brilliant kicking and decision making, with the versatile swingman rarely turning the ball over.

From being a crucial part of Port Adelaide’s breakthrough 2004 flag, as well as a cool head in defence during Hawthorn’s three-peat from 2013-15, Burgoyne has become a beloved great at two clubs.

Cyril Rioli

  • Hawthorn
  • Tiwi
  • 189 games, 275 goals, four-time premiership player, 2015 Norm Smith Medal winner, three-time All-Australian, 2009 Goal of the Year winner

In a family famous for its incredible footballing ability, Cyril Rioli stands apart from his relatives with four AFL premiership flags.

While Rioli was never one to stand out for the volume of his disposals, the quality was always game-changing.

A tally of 18 disposals and two goals in a Grand Final might not be eye-popping but his impact was great enough to earn the 2015 Norm Smith Medal.

Hawthorn fans were left shocked when Rioli retired mid-season in 2018, aged just 29.

Tune in to Yokayi Footy each Wednesday at 8pm AEDT on NITV, AFL.com.au, the AFL Live App; and on Friday at 3pm AEDT on SBS Viceland, and SBS On Demand.  

Head to afl.com.au/deadliest each week to cast your vote for the Greatest Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander player.