Stalked like a cheetah, ran like an impala, flew like an eagle, evaded like the wind. This man could do it all. An ultimate magician with endless abilities.
Cyril is my favourite player of all time. He just did things that no other player has ever done in the AFL. It’s sad to see him retire but it happens with all afl players.
I can watch this over and over again. I'm so glad I got watch his first game and live to see his last game with hawks! Also what an era for the Hawks in these vid... Cyril Buddy Gibbo Lake Sam Mitchell Luke Hodge Lewis Roughy... The list is endless
To think the genius of this man only got goal of the year once, he was definitely up there with the most magical magicians. What a legend he was for the Hawks, God bless him and hope he’s having a great time in retirement.
I sense an insight into his skills during the intercept played in slow mo at 6:11, his eyes have settled on 8 distinct options in more than 180 degrees of neck rotation in what was probably 3 seconds of play in real time. Skills is one thing but also reading the play to anticipate and to produce the best play for the team. You could expect Cyril could have only 10 possessions in a game, but remember how damaging they were.
My two faves are, "you can't sell candy to the Candy man* "This kid has adapted to the pace & intensity really quickly" WRONG!! Cyril set the pace & intensity for all others.
well the footys back but watchin my hawks wont be the same without Jr boy my favourite comment from spud frawley " you dont sell candy to the candyman" pure gold
And this highlights package has none of the 1% stuff he did, I’ve never seen a player positively influence 50/50 contests as consistently as Cyril did, little nudges, taps, knock ons bumps etc always to our advantage - he was a freak, the most enjoyable hawk I’ve watched
It'll take some time before anyone comes close to Cyril. Not only a Hawks fan am I lucky, but also as a footy fan in general to have followed footy whilst he was playing. Come back Cyril!
The Hawthorn team of this era was a great one,but often the difference between them being very good & great was....... we had a CYRIL ! ! This man was on another planet.So often he seemed to be doing nothing when,suddenly,thered be a handpass from nowhere or a short kick or an impossible mark for a man his size. It was always Cyril. A quiet game from him always turned the match & when he was "on" everyone just watched in awe as he took a game from his opponents. Just ........CYRIL. Sadly players like him are generational. I was lucky to have been in the generation that had Cyril Rioli. I won't live to see another like him. There is a large Rioli family of footballers all through the AFL world & a commentator once yelled "And Rioli does what Riolis dooo......." Genetics ? maybe,but Cyril was the best if them all.No contest.
It is my view that Cyril is the best indigenous player to have ever played the game. I know this will draw comment but he played at a speed that was unrivalled. His thinking was lightning fast and he could perform all facets and skills of the game with apparent ease. I'm not even a Hawks fan but always loved watching Cyril. He is the Pele of Australian Rules Football.
@@mabiorcholappreciationpage Can't agree there. I'm a 64 yo west aussie ... probably saw Maurice play before you did for South Freo. Cyril still the best.
Loved Cyril, 10-12 good touches, Hawks win, super player. His uncle Maurice, was better. Yep I said that. Have a look at Maurice, you will know where Cyril got it. Its in the genes Cyril, Snr, Snr. Godfather of a dynasty.
At 10:22 it really could have been a kick against Cyril for a hand on the opponents shoulder in the marking attempt. Don't get me wrong .... I'm a massive Cyril fan, too.
I reckon the smartest thing he used to do while tackling was to lift his legs off the ground so that whoever he tackled was also carrying all of Cyril's weight. Very clever, great technique but it also helps when you have a vice like grip like he did.
