Bobby Hill saved his crowning moment for Grand Final day.
He begun his morning by watching Cyril Rioli highlights, including the day the Hawthorn forward won the Norm Smith Medal, and by late afternoon Hill had achieved the same feat.
But while not many predicted the first-year Pie would take out the honour for best player on the day, his form had been building all year in a career-best season.
When he arrived at Collingwood, he'd only kicked three goals or more in a game once. He’s now done that six times.
He’d also never won more than seven games in a season. He finished with 21 for the year in 2023.
And it can be easy to forget that Hill is just 23 years of age.
After being selected with pick 24 in the 2018 draft, the livewire forward battled illness and being a part of a strong GWS team before moving to the Club at the end of last season.
He immediately proved his worth – kicking three goals in the opening round of the year against Geelong, before doing so in Rounds five and 12, and in the Qualifying Final too.
But on the last day in September, he topped it all.
A career-high four goals was achieved before half-time, while he also recorded 18 disposals to match his best ever output.
It was enough to earn a unanimous decision in the medal voting, and etched his name into the Collingwood history books in just his 24th game for the Club.
For fellow small forward Jamie Elliott, he felt lucky to have the best seat in the house.
“He’s a special player. He just felt so connected with the group and he can just go out there and play to his strengths,” Elliott said.
“We saw that Grand Final day, he’s a special player and some of the stuff he was doing I was just like ‘how do you even do that?’
“I’ve had a really good year with him and I’ve tried to build a connection with him, we play similar roles.
“These small forwards, we have this group within a group and to see these guys do so well as an older player, that’s the most special thing.”
Hill finished the year with 33 goals, only one less than his career tally at the beginning of the season.
2024 could be even better, with Hill appearing to be just getting started.
Bobby Hill 2023 stats:
- GF career high goals and disposals (4 and 18)
- Had only kicked three goials in a game once before this year, did it four times in 2023
- Most goals and games ever in a season
- Ranked #3 at Collingwood for goals
