Hawthorn champion Cyril Rioli made a long-awaited return to footy by suiting up for Northern Territory Football League Division One club Jabiru Bombers last weekend.
The four-time AFL premiership player featured in the club's 50-point win over Tracy Village on Saturday at Brockman Oval in Jabiru.
The 35-year-old showed glimpses of what made him such a dynamic player at the elite level and finished with two goals in the Bombers' 13.13 (91) to 6.5 (41) win.
Last Saturday's match was just Rioli's second game at local level since returning from the AFL in 2018, and his first since playing for the Tiwi Bombers during the 2019/20 NTFL season.
The three-time All-Australian has kept a low-profile amongst football circles upon returning to the Top End but has spent time helping out the Tiwi Bombers as an assistant coach and runner.
The Jabiru Football Club welcomed the return of the 2015 Norm Smith Medal winner.
"Our club is delighted to welcome all players that show the commitment and family values that we strive for," a statement said.
"Whilst every club's ultimate goal is a premiership, we are above all committed to supporting our players in their personal goals, which include enjoying the camaraderie that comes from playing with a group of likeminded players who are there for shared community and love of the game."
Rioli is one of the greatest Territory football exports of all time having enjoyed an illustrious career for Hawthorn over 11 seasons.
He is not the only player with AFL experience in Jabiru's line-up, with former Melbourne Demons small forward Austin Wonaeamirri currently in the club's leadership group.
Ex-Richmond and Adelaide player Richard Tambling is also involved, supporting the club in an off-field capacity and occasionally pulling on the boots.
Jabiru is a small town located 250km away south-east of Darwin along the Arnhem Highway.
The club has been in existence for over 40 years and often travel over 550km eight-to-12 times a season just to compete in the Darwin-based competition.
