Cyril Rioli

[red&blue1982 252]

When I heard he'd announced his retirement I was so glad. I'm sick of seeing him embarrass our defenders.

Yes, he was a very good player; that's why i'm glad to see the back of him. If he'd kept playing, disgusting Hawthorn would be stronger.

[Mydee 288]

I will be sorry to see Cyril Rioli retire, he was a great footballer. Obviously I didn't want him to play well against Melbourne but like Daicos, Burgoyne, and so many others their sublime skills showcase Australian Rules. 

[Skuit 9,166]

TL/DR: Should we recruit Cyril Rioli?

So a few in the media seem to think the Rioli retirement was a salary-cap sham - with fair reason to be suspicious. Admittedly one of those is Purple, but he's increasingly sure of himself on the matter.

Forget arguing about whether Rioli's a legend or just a champion or grossly overrated and imagine he could return to 75 percent of what you consider his best to be if he could get an acceptable run of injury free-football back under his belt. Rioli stationed in our forward pocket with the instructions to harass and the mandate to take a shot - not required so much to run the wings or through the middle.

Would you take on a three-year reasonably well-paid contract as the Demons enter their window (Cyril is 29 to save to save you from Googling)?

If he signals his intentions to come to us and nominates for the draft/rookie draft there will be surely a lot of moaning and grizzling from all quarters, but it's most likely no club will actually impede - so effectively free in trade cookie terms - although I would imagine Rioli entering the main draft and us giving up our first pick would be the acceptable compromise for the AFL.

I've been a strong supporter of Garlett and his need to be in our team, but it's clear his days are numbered. Cutting through the fairly nasty invective, I feel the major decline in his performance is that he's lost his touch - and I first thought so around our match in Alice last year when he still managed to kick five (from memory). Even when he's performed this year, it's still not of the same mojo of yore.

I also said last year that an old-school forward pocket specialist should be number one on our shopping list, and that I felt that hedging our bets with Johnstone as a half pocket/half mid was a mistake. Versatility is great, but not in every instance. Although I'm happy with our draft-swag from last year, watching Rioli and Ryan go anywhere near the ball on the w/e rammed home the message of where we're currently lacking a key ingredient. 

So as a possibly more refined equation: would you take Rioli over the next three years on decent coin for a mid to late second-round draft pick - considering of course our increasingly stretched cap? If not, any other suggestions where we can fulfill this need - rumours of Betts disgruntled at Adelaide for example, on the same cost conditions, or the recruit of a freshie or someone currently lacking opportunities elsewhere perhaps?

Just for the record, I'm all for it: Gaff, Rioli, and Nathan Basset and the 2019 flag is ours with every hole plugged (although another dashing half-back in Hunt or Baker stepping up would be ideal as well as a marking utility in the Pedersen mold). Disclaimer: I'm vaguely connected to Cyril through family.

 

[praha 10,270]

He would be an upgrade on Garlett no doubt.

[deebug 1,754]

If he wants to come back and play, then yes.?

[ucanchoose 1,803]

Too injury prone.

No

[Red and Blue realist 2,026]

If he came back to the AFL it'd take well over 6 months for him to get ready, and that'd be to play reserves. He's only played 4 games this year and 7 last,so would be a long long way off, plus it'd be doubtful he'd have that much desire to get back to where he was 3 or 4 years ago. I think he'd be just taking a spot on the list, however if he showed he was interested in a coach first - play only if absolutely ready, then he could be brilliant for Spargo and Hannan to learn off.

[binman 37,949]

No.

A fantastic player and one of favourite non dees player. but the time has passed for bringing players nearing the end of their career into the club. Particularly one who has had 9 months out of the AFL environment. 

However i reckon he would be great fit for Lions, given where they at in their development and  list mix.  He would also be closer to home up there, Hodge will play on i assume and Rioli and Cameron would represent a pretty good combination up forward.