Collingwood Football Club faces a significant reshuffle in its offensive lineup following the indefinite absence of 2023 Norm Smith Medallist Bobby Hill, who has prioritized personal wellbeing over his athletic career. The Magpies’ forward structure will undergo substantial transformation, further compounded by Brody Mihocek’s recent departure to Melbourne.
Senior player Jamie Elliott, coming off a career-best season, expressed strong confidence in the team’s capacity to adapt. He emphasized that this period presents a prime opportunity for emerging talents to secure positions in the senior squad. “Harvey Harrison, Will Hayes—there are players capable of stepping into that role,” Elliott stated, also mentioning Lachie Sullivan’s potential contribution upon returning from injury.
Elliott acknowledged Hill’s unique qualities as a dynamic and skillful player with exceptional X-factor, while simultaneously highlighting the diverse strengths that replacement players might bring to the field. The club fully supports Hill’s decision to focus on health matters, with Elliott confirming that football remains secondary to the player’s wellbeing.
With these changes, Collingwood is developing what Elliott describes as an “unpredictable” forward strategy for the upcoming season. This tactical shift leverages the defensive stability provided by captain Darcy Moore’s backline leadership. Elliott explained the strategic advantage: “When you are unpredictable, it’s hard to set up behind the ball and the defence gets tested out.”
The Magpies aim to implement an exciting brand of football that maximizes offensive opportunities while capitalizing on their defensive security to punish opposing teams effectively.