HAWTHORN star Cyril Rioli has returned from extended compassionate leave in excellent physical condition, club CEO Justin Reeves says.

The 28-year-old returned to his native Northern Territory in Grand Final week after his father suffered a heart attack, and stayed on to assist in his recovery.

The Hawks tweeted a picture of Rioli looking happy in his first day back at the club on Monday.

Reeves told SEN on Wednesday morning that the club was always relaxed over Rioli's absence from Waverley.

"The dialogue with Cyril was open and honest right throughout," Reeves said.

"We had Cyril's welfare and Cyril's family as the first priority.

"We knew Cyril was doing some training up north, and we were sort of happy with where Cyril was in his career that he would do the right thing.

"He came back in really good shape, the communication was constant, so that was fantastic."

Rioli has fully recovered from a PCL injury he suffered in round eight last year that kept him out for the rest of the season.

The Hawks play their AFLX matches at Etihad Stadium on February 15 and open their JLT Community Series campaign on March 3 against the Western Bulldogs in Ballarat.

Their round one opponent is Collingwood at the MCG on March 24 and with two months to prepare, Rioli should be expected to play, barring no further setbacks.