Electric forward Hill wins Norm Smith in Magpies’ flag

Cancer survivor Bobby Hill has become a grand final hero for Collingwood after booting four goals to win the Norm Smith medal in the Magpies’ first AFL premiership since 2010.

Almost 12 months after he joined from GWS, the dynamic small forward wrote himself into Collingwood folklore with a sparkling performance in an epic four-point win over the Brisbane Lions.

The 23-year-old lit up the MCG with four first-half goals, including a grand final speccy for the ages over Lions defender Brandon Starcevich just before halftime.

Hill was unable to add to his goal tally in the second half despite having two more shots, but he stayed in the contest and was crucial in the Pies hanging on.

He finished with four goals, 18 touches, eight marks and five tackles.

Importantly, Hill kicked straight in the first half when other Magpies were wayward on goal.

Collingwood had nine more scoring shots but only collected a record-equalling premiership by four points.

Hill received the maximum 15 votes from medal judges, with young gun Nick Daicos the second-best polling Magpie with four in just his second game back from a knee injury.

Bobby Hill’s first season at Collingwood has defied even the loftiest of expectations coach Craig McRae could have had of him. Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images

In May 2022, Hill underwent surgery for testicular cancer and did not play another AFL game for the season.

It was his desire to be closer to family in Melbourne after partner Georgia gave birth to the couple’s son, Bobby Jnr, in December 2021.

But Hill’s first season at Collingwood has defied even the loftiest of expectations coach Craig McRae could have had of him.

“I’d like to thank Brisbane for a great game, you were hard to play all year,” Hill said after collecting his medal.

“To everyone at the Collingwood football club, thank you for making me and my family welcome here.”

Hill joins Scott Pendlebury as a Norm Smith medallist, with the star Magpies veteran taking the honours in Collingwood’s grand final replay win over St Kilda in 2010.

Thirteen years after Pendlebury’s heroics, the 35-year-old became a dual premiership player and was instrumental against the Lions with 23 possessions, six clearances and a goal.

As well as Hill, the Indigenous talent was on full display with Lions defender Keidean Coleman backing up his best-on-ground performance in the preliminary final win over Carlton.

Lions forward Charlie Cameron had the crowd singing John Denver’s ‘Take Me Home, Country Roads’ like it was the Gabba, even though the song was not played over the speakers like it is in Brisbane.

Cameron finished with three goals, including a crucial finish late in the last quarter to keep the Lions in with a chance.

NORM SMITH MEDAL VOTING

Bobby Hill (Collingwood) – 15 votes

Keidean Coleman (Brisbane Lions) – 5

Nick Daicos (Collingwood) – 4

Tom Mitchell (Collingwood) – 3

Jack Crisp (Collingwood) – 2

Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood) – 1.