A Return to Form for Bobby Hill
Lachie Schultz, a key member of Collingwood’s leadership group, has expressed the club’s excitement over the return of Bobby Hill to footballing activities. Hill, a beloved figure within the team, has been working through personal challenges that kept him away from the football program on Olympic Boulevard during much of the pre-season. However, with an increasing workload in the VFL, there is growing optimism that the 26-year-old forward is close to making a significant impact on Collingwood’s struggling attack at the AFL level.
During the launch of Sir Doug Nicholls Round, an event where Hill was present, Schultz shared his positive outlook on his teammate’s progress. “He played his first full game (in the VFL) and it was great to see him get through a full game,” Schultz said. “We’re not putting a timeline on Bobby at the moment; we were just happy to see him back at the club and enjoying his footy again.”
Schultz highlighted Hill’s infectious personality and the positive effect he has on the team. “He’s such an infectious character and everyone’s loving having him around. He’ll just keep building momentum as the season goes and we look forward to seeing what he can put together.” The team is eager to see Hill return to his usual bright and bubbly self. “To see him today, that cheeky smile on his face, it’s just very special.”
Fitness and Performance
Schultz also noted the significant improvement in Hill’s fitness since he returned to the KGM Centre in March. “I’ve definitely seen a big shift in his fitness and as he continues to put more minutes together in the VFL, we’ll see Bobby (at AFL level) at some stage,” he said.
Hill’s ability to score goals remains a key asset for the team. “He’s a very special player in our forward half and someone that knows how to hit the scoreboard. We’re seeing that in the VFL so far – he hasn’t lost any of that. He’s kicking goals and he’s got his ‘Bobby shine’.”
While Hill’s contributions will be crucial, Schultz emphasized the importance of teamwork. “It’s also a team process and something that we’re working on. We look forward to working on that this week, and hopefully improving it.”
Challenges and Improvements
The Pies faced a difficult loss against Geelong, struggling to capitalize on repeated forward 50 entries. This contrasted sharply with their efficient performance in the previous match against the Hawks. Schultz acknowledged that the current issues facing the forward line are different from those encountered earlier in the season.
“Early days, it was that final kick inside 50, but now it’s about capitalising,” he said. The team is focused on addressing these challenges and improving their performance moving forward.
Scott Pendlebury’s Record
When asked about the fanfare surrounding Scott Pendlebury’s upcoming achievement of breaking the all-time games record, Schultz remained confident. “That was nutted out early in the season,” he said. “We back in the team that we field each week. We’ll make it work.”
Despite the loss to Geelong, critics have suggested that Collingwood may need to enter a rebuild. However, Schultz dismissed such talk, emphasizing the team’s competitive position. “There’s no talk of a rebuild. We find ourselves well and truly in the mix. We know our best footy stacks up with anyone in the comp.”
Youth and Future Prospects
Collingwood has a strong pipeline of young talent, including Angus Anderson, Oscar Steene, and Will Hayes. “We’ve got some great youth coming through – guys like Angus Anderson, Oscar Steene, Will Hayes. We’ve got great faith in the youth we’ve got coming through and we feel like we’re in really good hands.”
The Pies will face the Swans at the SCG on Friday night, with the team looking to bounce back and continue their journey toward success.
