Save articles for later

Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time.

Electrifying Collingwood small forward Bobby Hill will be remembered as the Norm Smith medallist of one of the modern-day classic grand finals after his side clinched yet another win by less than one straight kick.

The Magpies had 30 scoring shots but won by just four points, 12.18 (90) to 13.8 (86), with Hill booting all four of his telling goals in the first half.

Bobby Hill celebrates a Collingwood goal.Credit: Joe Armao

It’s the latest chapter of a remarkable footy journey for Hill, who, then aged just 22, was diagnosed with testicular cancer while playing for the GWS Giants last season.

He finished with 4.2 from 18 disposals and, as highlighted by football statistician @sirswampthing, is the only player in the AFL of the past 25 years to kick four goals in the first half of a grand final.

Months earlier at the end of the 2021 season, Hill requested a trade from GWS to Essendon in what would later prove to be one of modern footy’s genuine sliding doors moments. The Giants and the Bombers couldn’t reach an agreement on the deal, and 12 months later Hill made the move to Collingwood.

This year’s Norm Smith Medal judging panel included: Luke Darcy (Channel Seven/Triple M, chair), Eddie Betts (All-Australian selector and Fox Footy), Jude Bolton (All-Australian selector and Triple M), Sarah Olle (AFL.com.au), and Luke Shuey (retired former West Coast Eagles captain and 2018 Norm Smith medallist).

More to come

Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter.

Most Viewed in Sport

Source: Read Full Article