HAWTHORN star Cyril Rioli is ready to go for Saturday's Grand Final after impressing in the Hawks' final training hit-out at Waverley on Thursday.
Rioli trained without restriction and was lively throughout the Hawks' 45-minute session before a huge crowd of the brown and gold faithful.
The gun small forward has appeared to have pulled up well from his first match in 12 weeks in last Sunday's VFL Grand Final.
Hawks vice-captain Jordan Lewis said Rioli was right in the mix for the Grand Final against the Sydney Swans.
"He looked really good and I suppose if the coaches had any doubt they probably have a bigger headache now seeing that he trained really well and they've got to make that selection," Lewis said on Thursday.
Hawthorn spearhead Jarryd Roughead also gave Rioli his vote of confidence before the final teams are announced later on Thursdsay.
"He looked fine to me. The coaches will make the decision this afternoon, but he looked good," Roughead said.
"Unfortunately with Grand Finals there may be hard luck stories like there have been in the past and this year's no different, really," Roughead said.
After battling a horror injury toll for most of the season, the Hawks are now in the enviable position of having a fit and competitive squad to choose from.
Ben McEvoy tipped out Jonathon Ceglar for the final ruck spot, while veteran Brad Sewell's hopes took a dive after Lewis' recovery from a corked thigh.
Sewell was held out of the VFL Grand Final as back-up, but Lewis said he has fully recovered.
"No problems at all. It wasn't a test today but it was good to get out there and finally see that you can run at full pace without any restrictions," he said.
A cheersquad member works on the banner at the Southern Community Centre. Picture: Getty Images
Selection and fitness issues aside, the hype surrounding the Grand Final has been dominated by one man – Lance Franklin.
The former Hawks superstar tuned up with five goals in the Swans preliminary final triumph over North Melbourne last weekend and has proved difficult for the Hawks to shutdown.
Franklin has kicked 5.12 in two clashes against his old team – including 3.5 in the Hawks' 10-point win in round 18 at the MCG.
Buddy was booed by many of the Hawks' faithful in that match and Lewis called for fans to show respect while also warning them against 'poking the bear' again.
"I think that spurs him on. He loves a big occasion, he loves proving people wrong and I think if we go along that path we might poke the bear," he said.
Franklin looms as the Grand Final x-factor, but the Swans' tall forward line poses a huge threat to the reigning premiers.
Jarryd Roughead enjoying the final hit-out before his fourth Grand Final. Picture: AFL Media
Lewis said the Hawks' midfield has to cut off the supply if they were to claim back-to-back flags for the second time in club history.
"I think it's clearly in the midfield (where it will be won or lost)," he said.
"If you win that battle you obviously get the game played more in your half.
"They've got firepower all over the ground. Their backs are really good and their forwards are obviously so potent.
"But they've got a really damaging midfield – they bat pretty deep – and that's where we think the game will be won or lost."
Having lost to the Swans in the 2012 Grand Final, Lewis said some players might use that defeat as motivation this Saturday.
But the players have tried to keep a positive mindset this week, rather than reflect on what could go wrong.
"I suppose what we put in place is we try and stop those negative thoughts coming in and just realising the opportunity that we have," Lewis said.
"We tasted success last year and it felt so good, so they're the memories you try and bring up and think about before the game."
The Hawks have tried to keep their preparations as normal as possible this week, although Roughead admitted he had learnt to appreciate the build-up ahead of his fourth Grand Final.
"You've got to soak a little bit of it in. You never know if we're going to be back here again," he said.
