Should Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson swing a selection surprise and return Cyril Rioli to match-play via Box Hill in Sunday’s VFL Grand Final, the Bulldogs will be ready says Chris Maple.

Speaking at the joint media call at VISY Park earlier today, Maple said his coaching staff would be preparing for all contingencies, even the unlikely move of Rioli lining up for Hawthorn’s VFL affiliate in the state league showdown.

“Obviously he’s a star, we’ll plan that he might play,” said Maple.

“With a bit of luck Clarko picks him, but we’ll be planning that he’s there.”

VFL eligibility laws would allow Rioli to play with Hawthorn involved in the AFL Finals campaign, playing Saturday twilight in their AFL Preliminary Final against Port Adelaide.

Box Hill Hawks Senior Coach Marco Bello joked eligibility rules might not even come into the picture if Rioli was made available to them.

“He might struggle to fit in the team, we’ll see what we can do,” Bello said in jest.

“We’ll come to that hurdle when we get there, but there’s so much depth at the club at the moment that anyone that comes in or anyone who misses out is either fortunate or unfortunate.”