Cyril Rioli has called out Hawthorn over a lack of investment in the Northern Territory, after the club revealed they would be playing there in Sir Doug Nicholls Round in 2022.
The four-time premiership forward has distanced himself from the AFL scene since his sudden retirement in 2018 and has remained relatively out of the public eye.
As reported by SEN’s Ash Browne earlier this year, the Hawthorn veteran turned down an invitation from the Hawks earlier this year to be at TIO Stadium for the club’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round game.
The Hawks confirmed on Tuesday morning they would once again play the Suns at TIO Stadium in the 2022 Sir Doug Nicholls Round, however Rioli left two comments on their Instagram post appearing to question the club for their failure to engage with Territorians in the past.
“10 years of service to this football club. 0 preseason games, 0 Sir Douglas games. I retired 3 years ago and 2 games in 2 years is scheduled to play up here. I SEE you mob,” his first comment read.
“No hate just facts,” read his second comment.
Rioli is revered as one of the Hawks' greatest ever players for his ability to deliver in the big moments, featuring for the club 189 times and also winning the 2015 Norm Smith Medal.
See the post and Rioli’s comment’s below