Bobby Hill, a 25-year old Norm Smith medallist, pricking up ears with his return to competitive football. This is all despite a challenging year and personal crises. He had 40 minutes as a sub to Collingwood’s Round 21 match against Brisbane. This was his first exposure to the AFL since June.
Hill’s time with the Magpies was short and uneventful. Sadly again, he missed out on selections for Collingwood’s finals run, a cruel twist on his battle for game time. Speaking to why Hill wasn’t in the team, coach Craig McRae said. He described the decision as “based on a lot of little things,” bringing to light the nuances of choosing players in the context of a team culture. Despite this, McRae did not completely rule out the possibility of Hill returning for the grand final, saying, “There may be a world where that could be true.”
After a frustrating season of little playing time with Collingwood, Hill made the move. He requested and was granted permission from the club and AFL to play in a match for Fitzroy Stars, lining up alongside former North Melbourne superstar Tarryn Thomas. For Hill, this game was all about getting back into the competitive groove and reminding everyone what the kid would been able to do.
In a surprising twist to the story, Hill was at Collingwood’s best-and-fairest count on Friday night. His attendance at the event demonstrated just how personally committed he is to building the team. Although he didn’t advance to the finals, he was still all in 100% positive vibes and supportive. McRae acknowledged this by encouraging Hill, stating, “I mentioned (the grand final) to him — keep training well, keep turning up, keep being here, being present, keep getting better every day as we always say.”
Breathe in Hill’s journey while witnessing Hill’s amazing perseverance as he rebuffs personal demons. It shows too his desire to remain closely involved with the football community. Although he has already stamped his authority on the 2014 grand final as a Norm Smith medallist, Hill’s influence on subsequent matches can still be powerful.
For the Collingwood Magpies, the pain of grand final day is turning into a stimulus for positive change. The next steps in Bobby Hill’s burgeoning football career are being watched with much interest by fans and observers alike. His actions since the start of training camp imply that he desires to take back his spot and make an impact on the field.
