CYRIL Rioli's matchwinning goal against the Sydney Swans on Thursday night was just the eleventh set shot he had taken from outside 50 in his 171-game career. 

Rioli did not kick a set-shot goal from beyond the 50-metre arc until 2011, and has never kicked a set-shot goal from beyond 50 metres more than once a year in his nine seasons.

It was the birthday boy's first kick at goal from that range for the season, the 27-year-old going back with a little over a minute remaining in Thursday night's game to put the Hawks in front. 

From his 11 set shots outside 50, Rioli has kicked 5.6, a fraction of his total scores of 252.142.

His coach Alastair Clarkson described the goal as 'pretty special' after the game.

"For Cyril to kick that goal was pretty special but he was a long way out. I think there was a slight wind advantage to that end - he won't claim that though," Clarkson said.

"It was a great kick, a pressure kick. He was pretty important at important moments."

Swans coach John Longmire lamented the kick but lauded Rioli, describing him as a star.

Rioli is the third player to kick a set-shot goal within the dying minutes to score a win for the Hawks this year, joining Paul Puopolo who kicked the matchwinner against Adelaide, and James Sicily who kicked the matchwinner against the Western Bulldogs.

Cyril Rioli's career set shots from outside 50
2008       0.1
2009       0.1
2010       0.0
2011       1.2
2012       1.1
2013       0.0
2014       1.0
2015       1.1
2016       1.0