One of the many highlights of the Legends Game on Thursday night was AFL champion Cyril Rioli’s return to the footy spotlight.

Rioli is somewhat of a recluse these days after a bitter and well-publicised fallout with his former club, Hawthorn.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Cyril boots amazing goal in Legends Game.

The Norm Smith medallist (for best on ground in the 2015 grand final) only managed four games in 2018 when he shocked the footy world and announced his retirement.

Since then he returned to Darwin and public appearances have been few and far between.

Last night he reminded the footy world of his incredible talents but it was something he did before the game that shocked AFL greats Billy Brownless and Brian Taylor.

“Do you know when Cyril Rioli arrived at the ground tonight, he went up to his coach Shane Crawford and said, ‘Thanks for picking me in the team’,” an incredulous Taylor revealed ahead of the game.

Brownless was shocked.

“Really?” the Geelong legend said.

Taylor: “As if he needed (to do that) for picking him in the team.”

Rioli is 36 years old, a four-time premiership hero, and still has a run for the Jabiru Bombers back in the Northern Territory.

At one point, as the siren sounded just before half-time, jaws dropped when he launched a torpedo from inside the centre square that sailed through the goals.

The 70 metre bomb had everyone in awe with Taylor saying current players were unable to do that now, while commentator Andy Maher called it a “ball-burster”.

“Unbelievable. That was champagne football,” TV funnyman Mick Molloy (who was on goal review duties) said.

“Welcome back to club land, that was fantastic. He’s delivered and the Vics have got a bit to do.”

At the end of the game Rioli, who wowed with several torpedoes throughout the night, won the medal for best on ground.

“He’s been one of the highlights of the game. What about that, a torpedo pass to his good mate The Wizard, Jeff Farmer,” Matthew Richardson said.

“He’s wanting to torp it every time he gets it. I don’t blame him because just before half-time he unloaded with one.

“I think the crowd are just loving seeing Cyril back here at Marvel Stadium.

“What about that, on the siren, that was from inside the square.

“You don’t see that at AFL level. That’s gone 65 metres on the line on the siren if you don’t mind.

“A bit of Hollywood entertainment there from Cyril, that’s what the crowd came to see.”

The love for Cyril was everywhere.

“I shed a tear every time I see Cyril Rioli put his skill on display tonight. Freak,” a fan wrote on social media.

And another: “Who cares about the AFL Awards when Cyril Rioli just kicked goal of the year in the Legends Game.”

And another: “How absolutely wonderful to see Cyril back on field. Still a magician.”

And another: “Cyril! What a player!.”

A record crowd of 31,320 turned up to watch the game at Marvel Stadium.

Money raised from the event goes to prostate cancer research and Bill Guest — chairman of the Australian Prostate Centre — revealed at the end of night just a tick under $1 million had been raised for the cause.