CYRIL Rioli's mid-week retirement did not shock Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson, who was only surprised he didn't hear the words earlier.
The 2015 Norm Smith medallist, who grew up on the Tiwi Islands and in Darwin, took compassionate leave after his father, also named Cyril, suffered a heart attack in Grand Final week and later required surgery.
Speculation was rife the 28-year-old had played his last AFL game – and even Clarkson suspected as much when his four-time premiership superstar lobbed back in Melbourne in January.
MEMORIES OF A CHAMP Fans' favourite Cyril moments
"The most difficult period he went through was around the illness of his father and … that was the time where I felt like retirement was a significant consideration," Clarkson said.
"Ever since then it's really just been sitting with him and understanding what he wants to do with his life.
"At that point in time in January, when he came back, I was actually surprised when he came back and said, 'I want to keep on going'.
"I thought he was going to let us know he was going to return to the NT to live with (his wife) Shannyn and his family, but he elected to continue playing footy, so we were delighted with that."
Rioli added four matches this year to give him 189 in total, to almost certainly round out a magnificent career where he was a triple All Australian and kicked Goal of the Year in 2009.
But another posterior cruciate ligament setback to his left knee halted him in his tracks and he never returned despite recovering from it.
Clarkson said he didn't try to talk Rioli out of retiring, saying they never intended to "handcuff" the mercurial forward to the club "and certainly not the Melbourne lifestyle".
"Things have unfolded throughout the course of this year, too, that are just subtle little reminders (of what he is missing back home)," Clarkson said.
"Whether it's to do with illness or death in his wider community back in Darwin, that's the thing he's missed the most.
"In the Aboriginal culture, in a lot of cases, aunties, uncles and grandparents have significant responsibilities in the raising of children and Cyril now feels like that's a responsibility he needs to meet.
"I think it's a beautiful responsibility and I applaud him.
"That's why it's so easy for us, in a sense, to shake his hand, look him in the eye, give him a hug and say 'All the best, thanks for what you've done here, mate but we really love what you're doing'."
AFL.com.au reported on Wednesday the Hawks could turn Rioli's exit into somewhat of a positive, given they would now have the salary cap space to potentially recruit two wantaway stars.
Among those options are Gold Coast co-captain Tom Lynch, Adelaide midfielder Rory Sloane and West Coast wingman Andrew Gaff.
But Clarkson refused to entertain that possibility, saying it was "unfair" to Rioli, who was contracted until 2020, and that those discussions were still months off.
"There's nothing too exciting about even giving consideration that Cyril Rioli's not going to be part of your group," the coach said.
"I like to just think of Cyril and the contribution he's made to our footy club … so that's (recruiting other players) the furthest thing from my mind at this point in time."
However, former Port Adelaide dasher Jarman Impey's off-season recruitment was partly about Hawthorn preparing for life after Rioli, the coach said.
How or if Rioli's departure affects Shaun Burgoyne's playing future also remains to be seen.
