Hawthorn’s champion small forward Cyril Rioli says it’s a nervous time as he prepares to step up his training load in a bid to prove his fitness for a return in two weeks’ time.
The 2012 All-Australian’s latest hamstring injury has kept the dual-premiership player out of action since June 28.
Coach Alastair Clarkson is hoping to have Rioli back to full fitness for preliminary-final weekend in another two weeks.
“I trained this morning and hit about 85 per cent pace,” Rioli told Triple M Radio on Friday night.
“If my hamstring’s 100 per cent hopefully I’ll definitely play (in the preliminary final). I need to be 100 per cent.
“I’m still a bit nervous about getting quicker and quicker. That’s probably the main thing.”
Rioli said he had “gone through a bit of vision” at the club and found trying to pick up the ball at top speed puts a lot of stress on his hamstrings.
Clarkson says the Hawks are aware of the risks in raising the intensity of Rioli’s training.
“At some point in time we’re going to have to step up his program and when you step up that program you run the risk of a breakdown,” Clarkson told reporters on Thursday.
“Or he responds really well to it and he can cope with the extra demands that you place on him.”