Cyril Rioli has warned nephew Daniel that even if he wins an AFL pace duel, the younger man might wish he hadn't.

Hawthorn's Cyril and Richmond's Daniel are happy to talk some trash ahead of their match on Friday night at the MCG.

They crossed paths in a pre-season NAB Challenge game, but this will be the first time they have played against each other during the regular season.

"(I want) to play against him, hopefully - at some stage be on him and, hopefully, do some special things," Daniel said on Wednesday.

"I will back my pace for sure against him as well."

Cyril is renowned for his pace and notorious for his injury-plagued hamstrings.

He is also one of the game's most lethal tacklers.

The older Rioli was asked what might happen if he had a head-to-head sprint with Daniel.

"I'd probably slow down, because I wouldn't want to do a hamstring," Cyril told the Seven Network.

"I'd let him get it and then I'd probably try and smash him, I think."

While the Riolis are happy to talk up what they might do to each other, they also admit to apprehension.

"I'm a bit nervous as well, playing against my little nephew," Cyril said.

"It's funny. I hear from people and boys around the club how similarly we move."

The two-time All Australian utility won the Norm Smith Medal in last year's Grand Final.

That emulated his uncle Maurice, who won the 1982 medal in Richmond's losing Grand Final against Carlton. 

The Tigers recruited Daniel with pick No.15 in last November's NAB AFL Draft.

They are members of one of the game's most famous football clans - Essendon's 1993 Norm Smith medallist Michael Long is another relative and Dean Rioli also played for the Bombers.

"For sure, a dream come true - I never thought that day would come," Daniel said of playing against his uncle.

"It's a bit nerve-wracking, actually.

"It will mean a lot for me, my family back home."