HAWTHORN’S Cyril Rioli has safely got through training on Monday morning in his bid to prove his fitness for Saturday’s preliminary final against Port Adelaide.
The electric small forward’s injured hamstring was put to the test during the Hawks' 90-minute training session at Waverley.
He covered the ground freely and stretched out to about 80 per cent speed during full-ground match simulation.
Rioli took part in most of the session, although he and defender Grant Birchall at one stage broke away to complete several 100m runs at three-quarter pace.
Birchall left the track soon after, however Rioli rejoined training after having several shots at goal from about 30m.
If Rioli proves his fitness and lines up in the preliminary final it would be his first match for 12 weeks.
Teammate Jack Gunston predicts Rioli could make an explosive return if he's passed fit to play.
Rioli has not appeared since he suffered a hamstring tendon injury in round 15.
Despite the long lay-off, Gunston had no doubt Rioli would immediately pick up the pace of the game.
"I'm sure Cyril won't have an issue. He's an explosive player and he's always got great touch and great feel out there in the game," he said.
Rioli's return would squeeze out one of the Hawks – potentially Jonathan Simpkin or Taylor Duryea - who helped the reigning premiers to a 36-point qualifying final victory over Geelong.
Defenders Matt Suckling and Ryan Schoenmakers are also pushing for recalls, as is ruckman Ben McEvoy, who was excellent with 20 possessions and nine marks in Box Hill's VFL preliminary final triumph on Sunday.
Suckling trained on Monday, although Schoenmakers, who played in an exhibition game on Sunday, and the Box Hill players were given the day off.
Gunston said the Hawks had learnt valuable lessons over the past two years about how to prepare in the week off before preliminary finals and they are gearing up for a hard-running Power outfit.
"They're a great running side and they've got some great players inside and outside," he said.
"Obviously (they’ve got) some young players like Ollie Wines and Chad Wingard that really stepped up in the last quarter (against Fremantle).
"It's going to be a great battle on the weekend."
The Power won the only meeting between the sides in round 10 by 14 points, with dangerous forwards Wingard, Robbie Gray and Angus Monfries doing most of the damage at Adelaide Oval.
They booted nine goals between them as Port stamped their credentials as a force of the competition.
The trio loom as a major threat to the Hawks' hopes of playing in a third-successive Grand Final, although Gunston was confident Hawthorn could shut down the Power's weapons.
"They've obviously got some great small forwards … but I think the main thing is we've got a good strong team defence and we don't just rely on one person," he said.
