Rioli to start in AFL grand final after three-month break

Sydney and Hawthorn have made no late changes for Saturday's AFL grand final at the MCG, with Cyril Rioli starting on the field.

A Sydney fan wanting a ticket stands outside the MCG, during the AFL Grand Final match between the Hawthorn Hawks and Sydney Swans at the MCG in Melbourne, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014

Hawthorn star Cyril Rioli will start on the field in Saturday's AFL grand final against Sydney.

Cyril Rioli of Hawthorn celebrates after kicking a goal on Saturday, June 21, 2014

The Hawks and Swans made no late changes to their final teams just over an hour from the opening bounce on Saturday at the MCG.

Hawthorn are taking a punt on Rioli, who missed three months of football with his latest hamstring injury.

He returned through the VFL grand final last weekend.

But Hawthorn named Taylor Duryea as the substitute and their interchange for the start of the match will be Matt Suckling, Brad Hill and Will Langford.

Whatever Rioli's fitness, he is a damaging burst player and will demand close attention from the Swans' defence.

Sydney's interchange for the start will be Rhyce Shaw, Lewis Jetta and Jake Lloyd, with Craig Bird the substitute.

Hawthorn also brought in ruckman Ben McEvoy and dropped Jonathon Ceglar and Jonathan Simpkin.

Sydney have been unchanged throughout the finals series.