Few AFL players are capable of making a seamless return after spending almost three months on the sidelines.
But Cyril Rioli is not like most players.
The intrigue over Rioli's chances of playing in Saturday's preliminary final against Port Adelaide continued to build on Monday.
Rioli trained with Hawthorn's main group at Waverley Park, bolstering his bid to return from the serious hamstring injury he suffered in round 15.
"He's always up and about, Cyril. He's ready to go. He's trained pretty well lately," Hawks forward Jack Gunston Gunston said prior to Monday's session.
"I'm sure Cyril won't have an issue (with his lack of match fitness). He's an explosive player and he's always got great touch and great feel out there in the game."
Gunston suggested the reigning premiers were not sweating on Rioli's availability.
"He does some magical things and he'd be great to have in the team. But if he doesn't come up, he doesn't come up," he said.
"We've had other blokes come into the side that have played really well this year."
Defender Matt Suckling (knee) will also be desperate to return, having missed the 2013 grand final due to a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.
Ruckman Ben McEvoy was dominant in Sunday's VFL preliminary final and will also come into contention.
"He had a great game yesterday ... he's definitely still in the mix and it's going to be a tough call for the coaches," Gunston said of McEvoy, the club's prized recruit at the end of their victorious 2013 campaign.
The Hawks are playing in a preliminary final for the fourth consecutive year.
Their past three have been decided by less than a kick and Gunston is understandably keen to avoid a repeat.
"We approached them (the week off after winning a qualifying final) differently in 2012 and 2013. I think the best way to go about them is to train hard," Gunston said.
"Prepare like you are playing a game in the week off ... no slacking off, we trained pretty hard (last week).
"There are minor things we have learnt on the track over the past three years."
HAWTHORN'S PULSATING PRELIMS:
2013 - defeated Geelong by five points
2012 - defeated Adelaide by five points
2011 - lost to Collingwood by three points.
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