GETTING through a game has convinced Cyril Rioli he is fit enough to be picked for Hawthorn in next week's Grand Final.
After almost three months out recovering from a hamstring tear, Rioli made his return in the VFL grand final on Sunday for the Box Hill Hawks.
He played the first three quarters and worked into the game before sitting out the last term as Box Hill was overrun by Footscray.
The 25-year-old, who played a key role in the Hawks' 2008 and 2013 premiership triumphs, said he would be right to play next week if coach Alastair Clarkson and the club's match committee selected him.
"I'd say I'm ready. I eased into it and out on the ground I hit some speed, which I was very happy with, so I'm glad it held up. Hopefully I'm playing next week," Rioli said after the game.
"I was hoping to play 60-70 per cent of game time and I think we did that. Like I said, I got through pretty good and hit some top pace, which I'm pretty happy about."
In the first VFL game of his seven-year AFL career, the Hawthornmatchwinner gathered 10 disposals, three clearances, three tackles and three marks.
Helifted in the third term, set up a goal with a defensive spoil, andmoved in the centre square for the first time. After a slow start, itwas the sort of quarter Rioli required to put his hand up for selectionnext week.
But Rioli's day wascompleted at three-quarter time, and he spent the last term on the benchas part of his load management.
He watchedon as his team fell apart with a lack of rotations, conceding six goalsto two in the last quarter in Footscray's 16.13 (109) to13.9 (87) victory.
Rioli said the hamstring had not troubled him.
"It got through pretty good. I stayed off the last quarter but I eased into the game and I was very happy with the way it pulled up," he said.
The Hawks face a selection dilemma after their tight preliminary final win over Port Adelaide on Saturday night.
Midfielder Jordan Lewis ended the three-point win with a corked thigh but is expected to be fit to face the Sydney Swans, while Jonathan Simpkin started as the substitute but would be an unlucky omission given his impact through the season.
After enduring a tough training phase to finally return to the field, Rioli said it was important for his confidence to play a game.
"The last three weeks I've been doing a lot of work, but I hadn't played a game yet. Today was a real test and I'm very happy with the way I got through," he said.
"I was very nervous before the game, and with it being the Box Hill grand final. But once I got that first kick out of the way I was pretty happy."
