Cyril Rioli has been granted personal leave from Hawthorn with no set date for him to return to the AfL club.

The four-time premiership player had been set to return from a knee injury which has sidelined him since round four.

However, the Hawks announced that the indigenous star had asked to return to the Northern Territory.

“Cyril expressed to us his desire to return to Darwin with his wife Shannyn and be with their family,” Hawthorn’s general manager of football Graham Wright said in a statement.

“Physically, Cyril is in great condition, and potentially could have played for us in the coming weeks. However, we acknowledge his desire to be with family.

“Our priority at Hawthorn is our people and we ask that Cyril’s privacy be respected at this time.”

The 28-year-old Rioli has been given compassionate leave by Hawthorn several times in his career, including late last year when he spent an extended period of time in the NT after his father suffered a heart attack.

The Hawks face Adelaide at the MCG on Saturday night.