A triple-premiership player might be tempted to fall back on the line that choosing between them is like naming a favourite child; it just can’t be done.
But for Hawthorn’s dynamic small forward Cyril Rioli, the choice is simple.
“This is the best one by far,” Rioli said in Hawthorn’s changerooms on Saturday after the Hawks had won their third flag under coach Alastair Clarkson, beating Sydney by 63 points.
While Rioli had already played in the premiership sides of 2008 and 2013, it seems the pain of defeat from two years ago against the Swans was still raw.
“Just to get one back against Sydney. That’s the reason why,” Rioli added.
All week fans and media commentators alike had speculated upon the gamble of selecting Rioli, who hadn’t played an AFL game since injuring a hamstring in June.
After playing three quarters in last week’s VFL decider, Rioli was picked for the AFL grand final with the instructions to simply play his role.
The 2012 All-Australian did it to perfection, despite being held goal-less and having only nine possessions and two tackles before being subbed out early in the final term.
His intercept of Kurt Tippett’s handball during the second quarter led to a goal for Jarryd Roughead.
Roughead was the beneficiary again in the third term when the lightning-quick Rioli smothered a kick from Tippett on the wing to set up another Hawthorn goal.
“My goal was to apply forward pressure with the boys up there,” Rioli said.
“We did that and we did it all day so I’m just stoked.
“I get a lot of joy out of giving goals off.
“It’s the same as kicking a goal for me.”
Rioli is thankful to Hawthorn’s fitness staff for getting him over the line, after having doubts during his three-month injury layoff.
“A lot of things went through my mind,” the 25-year-old said.
“Was I going to get back?”
Rioli said the fear of breaking down again while going at full speed in the grand final was also in his mind.
The lasting image left in the minds of fans, however, will be of a wizard weaving his magic on the big stage.
Again.
