Norm Smith medallist Bobby Hill has declared the “fast and free” ball movement which propelled Collingwood to the 2023 premiership will be back in 2025 as the Magpies put the “hurt” of missing the 2024 finals to good use.
Hill said the players had all come back to training “nice and hungry” after watching the September action unfold last season after a ninth-placed finish having entered the year eyeing off back-to-back flags.
That sting ensured the players all looked after themselves during the break, with injury niggles which have curtailed the pre-seasons of superstars Nick Daicos and Jordan de Goey no concern.
Hill said they’d be ready for the opening round, as would all the players, with a renewed sense of purpose.
“It gets you, watching teams in the grand final and you’re not in it,” Hill, who will also play for the Indigenous All-Stars against Fremantle on February 13, said.
“Obviously we didn’t have a great year last year.
“To top it off with a 2023 grand final win and not backing it up, it hurts.
“We’ve all come back in great nick and we’re all hungry. Knowing what we can do as teams in this competition, we’re very excited to do that this year.
“Hopefully, we can go all the way.
“Coming into this pre-season, everyone’s come back in great nick.”
The Magpies have bolstered their stocks with All-Australian Dan Houston from Port Adelaide and ex-St Kilda forward Tim Membrey joining.
He promised Collingwood would be back to their electric best after they “didn’t bring” it in 2024.
“Obviously you watch 2023, how fast and free we played,” Hill said.
“That ball movement was easily the best in the competition. We didn’t bring that in 2024.
“If we can bring that and everyone brings their strengths, I think we’ll be quite fine.”
Hill will join Magpies teammate Ash Johnson in the Indigenous All Stars squad and likened his pride to playing in the annual Indigenous round.
“To put an Indigenous jersey on and represent our people back in WA to play in this All Stars game, it’s up there with the likes of playing Indigenous Round,” the proud Whadjuk-Ballardong Noongar man said.
“To do this, I’m very proud and very pumped to play in it.
“I feel good. It’s a good pre-season I’ve had under my belt.
“I’ve had a good off-season. My body feels good and I can’t wait to get out there and showcase some skills and have some fun.”
