CYRIL Rioli has made a fairytale comeback to footy, kicking the last goal of the game to help his Tiwi Bombers to a one-point victory over Palmerston in Saturday's NTFL match at Bathurst Island.

The Bombers trailed the Magpies by 24 points at the last change, but in his first match since retiring from Hawthorn early last year, Rioli kicked a late goal in the 11.13 (79) to 12.6 (78) win.

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With just minutes remaining in the humid and greasy conditions, he collected a ball inside forward 50 and produced a trademark snap on his left foot to draw Tiwi within a point.

The Bombers went on to win their second game of the season.

Rioli, who was part of four premierships with the Hawks in his decorated 189-game career, wore the No.44 and sported a helmet as he ran on to Wurrumiyanga Oval.

The 30-year-old shone during a see-sawing contest as Tiwi led early, trailed at half and three-quarter time, before rallying from a 24-point deficit to claim a thrilling win.

The general manager of the Tiwi Bombers, Leigh Crossman, said Rioli was treated as just one of the players, despite his storied AFL career. 

"To the Tiwi boys, he's just another Tiwi boy. He's just got a number on his back, he's a cousin, he's a nephew, he's an uncle to a lot of them," Crossman told Channel Seven. 

There was plenty of other former AFL talent on show as well.

Former Melbourne goalsneak Austin Wonaeamirri was a Bombers' teammate of Rioli, while Aaron Davey, another ex-Demon, and his brother Alwyn, formerly of Essendon, were part of the Magpies' outfit.

Rioli, complete with helmet, ahead of his playing debut for the Tiwi Bombers. Picture: Twitter/Seven Network