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Hawks shock: Rioli announces his retirement - http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-07-0...his-retirement
HAWTHORN star Cyril Rioli has announced his retirement, effective immediately.
Rioli, 28, has been on extended leave from the club to deal with personal matters in the Northern Territory.
Four-time premiership winner Rioli will return to Darwin to live.
"The decision to retire from football is something that I have thought long and hard about over the past 12 months. I've weighed everything up and I am confident the decision I've made is the right one for me and my family," he said in a statement on the Hawks website.
"Football has been my life but it's always been difficult being away from home. Now is the right time to go home and spend more time with friends and family.
"I love the Hawthorn Football Club and I cannot thank them enough for the opportunities they've given me and the way they've embraced me and my family over the past 11 years.
"I can walk away from the game having achieved everything I could have ever dreamed of and I'm forever grateful for the opportunities I have received.
“I'd like to thank the Hawthorn fans for all their support over the years, it has been an honour to play in front of you each week."
More to come
Honours
Premierships: 2008, 2013, 2014, 2015
Norm Smith Medal: 2015
All Australian: 2012, 2015, 2016
AFL Goal of the Year: 2009
Hawthorn best first-year player: 2008
Runner-up Hawks best and fairest: 2009, 2015
HAWTHORN star Cyril Rioli has announced his retirement, effective immediately.
Rioli, 28, has been on extended leave from the club to deal with personal matters in the Northern Territory.
Four-time premiership winner Rioli will return to Darwin to live.
"The decision to retire from football is something that I have thought long and hard about over the past 12 months. I've weighed everything up and I am confident the decision I've made is the right one for me and my family," he said in a statement on the Hawks website.
"Football has been my life but it's always been difficult being away from home. Now is the right time to go home and spend more time with friends and family.
"I love the Hawthorn Football Club and I cannot thank them enough for the opportunities they've given me and the way they've embraced me and my family over the past 11 years.
"I can walk away from the game having achieved everything I could have ever dreamed of and I'm forever grateful for the opportunities I have received.
“I'd like to thank the Hawthorn fans for all their support over the years, it has been an honour to play in front of you each week."
More to come
Honours
Premierships: 2008, 2013, 2014, 2015
Norm Smith Medal: 2015
All Australian: 2012, 2015, 2016
AFL Goal of the Year: 2009
Hawthorn best first-year player: 2008
Runner-up Hawks best and fairest: 2009, 2015
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