Skilful small forward Cyril Rioli’s comeback was a big positive for Hawthorn despite their 10-point loss to bitter rivals Geelong in their AFL top-of-the-table clash.

Geelong won 11.16 (82) to 10.12 (72) before a crowd of more than 85,000 at the MCG on Saturday night to claim their 11th consecutive victory over the Hawks.

Competition leaders Hawthorn had fought back in the final term from 33 points down to trail by only three points in a tense finish.

Rioli had nine disposals in the second half as the substitute player after recovering from a hamstring injury he suffered on April 28 against North Melbourne.

“He was a little bit scratchier than what we’re used to from Cyril,” Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson said of the 2012 All-Australian representative.

“We’re just so pleased to have him back. We haven’t had him since round five.

“It’s hard work as a coach having him sitting there in a green vest as the sub. We wanted to inject him about the five-minute mark of the first quarter but we just knew we had to hold on.

“It wouldn’t have been too fair to the poor bloke who got taken off at the five-minute mark of the first quarter.”

Sam Mitchell was dominant in midfield for the Hawks while big men David Hale and Jarryd Roughead kicked two goals each and key forward Lance Franklin was held to one goal by Geelong’s Tom Lonergan.

The defeat ended Hawthorn’s equal club-record winning streak of 12 games.

Hawthorn remain on top of the table with a 12-2 record, ahead of Geelong on percentage.

“Even the Geelong supporters cheered when Cyril Rioli returned to the field after a long injury lay-off and no wonder. He made things happen for Hawthorn with his usual brilliance,” Geelong defender Jimmy Bartel told Seven’s AFL Game Day on Sunday.

Clarkson didn’t rule out starting Rioli as the sub again on July 13 at AAMI Stadium against Port Adelaide.