It is only fitting that after a season of chopping and changing - forced and by choice - the Hawthorn match committee will be faced with a handful of magnets/names whose positions on or off the whiteboard remain uncertain.
Often teams that have found their way to the last Saturday in September pick themselves. The adage of not tinkering with what is working rightly applies to what has been successful for the best part of 25 weeks. Yet every now and then, grand final week throws up a quandary or two.
Here is a selection of "Cyril Riolis" from past years:
Carlton 1986
He would go on to be named the full-back of the century, but in 1986 Stephen Silvagni was a colt forward, dwarfed in status by Stephen Kernahan and Mark Maclure. Silvagni was surprisingly omitted by coach Robert Walls for the grand final, despite having played 13 games in succession. Perhaps spurred on by the setback, Silvagni bagged five goals in the reserves grand final as Carlton defeated Footscray. The senior team did not fare as well, soundly beaten by Hawthorn. The tables turned a year later, though, when Carlton - with Silvagni entrenched - blitzed the sapped Hawks.
Collingwood 2010
It is one thing for a change at selection in grand final week, it is another matter altogether for a side to be altered on game day. Collingwood veteran Simon Prestigiacomo made the selfless call to withdraw from the team to face St Kilda in the 2010 decider. His replacement Nathan Brown performed admirably on Nick Riewoldt, so much so that in the replay the following week, he was preferred ahead of Presti. Brown was even better the second time around, keeping Riewoldt goalless as Collingwood won easily.
Prestigiacomo never played another game, retiring at the end of the season. But his gesture was honoured the following season when the Magpies gave him the privilege of unfurling the premiership flag.
Collingwood 1990
The predecessor to Nathan Buckley in the No. 5 jumper at the Magpies, Ron McKeown played 20 games during 1990 but missed the one that counted - when Collingwood's 32-year wait for glory ended against Essendon.
Defender McKeown was all set to play, but an hour before his team burst through the banner, he got a nasty surprise from coach Leigh Matthews. As McKeown recounted to Michael Gleeson in 2010, he was told by Matthews: "We've got no one for you to play on." He was replaced by Craig Starcevich, and Collingwood won by eight goals.
 
Essendon 1993
All grand final week omissions end in heartbreak. Some deteriorate further. Little over a month after kicking eight goals against Footscray, Derek Kickett was omitted by coach Kevin Sheedy from the team to play Carlton. Kickett did not take part in any of the celebrations that followed the 44-point victory, walking out on the club and joining Sydney.
Brisbane Lions 2003
The all-conquering Lions were renowned for their toughness, but few stories epitomise their tenacity more than that of Nigel Lappin playing through the 2003 grand final win against Collingwood with broken ribs. Lappin had to endure a grand final eve fitness test of crunching tackles from teammate Aaron Shattock, but survived despite his obvious discomfort to play an inspirational part in his side's third premiership in a row.
Hawthorn 1975
Few coaches have been forced to make tougher calls than the one John Kennedy had to make in 1975. Hawthorn captain Peter Crimmins had been sidelined with testicular cancer for much of the year, but had fought back to the brink of selection after playing five games in the reserves. Despite the immense weight of sentiment, Kennedy overlooked his captain, and Hawthorn lost to North Melbourne. A year later, Crimmins was on his deathbed.
St Kilda 2010
Ben McEvoy will have an experience to draw on should he miss selection for Hawthorn on Saturday. Four years ago he was the unlucky man to miss out after Steven Baker was recalled after a three-month lay-off, the first nine weeks of which came through suspension. McEvoy got his chance after all when the grand final was drawn and ruckman Michael Gardiner was injured. McEvoy was outgunned by Darren Jolly in the replay as the Magpies romped home.
