Bobby Hill’s leadership skills, alongside his exceptional playing ability, take center stage in episode three of *The Grind*, Collingwood’s pre-season documentary.
The episode follows the 2023 Norm Smith Medallist during the first Indigenous All Stars game in a decade, highlighting Hill’s leadership among a team filled with some of the league’s brightest stars.
While his four goals in a thrilling performance stand as the game’s key achievement, the documentary also offers a closer look at Hill’s relationships with teammates and staff, revealing his care and camaraderie.
In one poignant moment, Hill comforts North Melbourne captain Jy Simpkin after Simpkin dedicates his third-quarter goal to his late grandfather. Hill reassures him with the words, “Love you brother, you good? We got you brother, keep working,” as Simpkin becomes emotional on the bench.
This moment underscores Hill’s growth as a leader entering his third season with Collingwood.
After joining the Pies via the 2022 trade period with just 43 games to his name, Hill had shown glimpses of his talent at the GWS GIANTS, though outside factors had hindered his consistency. Overcoming testicular cancer in 2022, Hill made an inspiring return to the field that same year before making the move to Collingwood in October.
Since then, his form has skyrocketed, culminating in his best-on-ground performance in the 2023 Grand Final, where he scored four goals, bringing his total to 63 goals in his first 47 games with Collingwood.
His remarkable rise made him a natural choice for the Indigenous All Stars squad, where he joined stars like Melbourne’s Kysaiah Pickett, Brisbane’s Charlie Cameron, and his cousin, St. Kilda’s Brad Hill, in December’s selections.
By February’s game, Bobby, a proud Whadjuk-Ballardong Noongar man, became a key figure in his team’s war cry before the match, with Brad Hill leading the charge. The documentary offers a behind-the-scenes look at the war cry, with All Stars staff member Pauly Vandenbergh emphasizing its significance.
“We’ve got to do something, we’ve got to do this war cry,” said Pauly Vandenbergh, Port Adelaide’s Director of Aboriginal Programs.
“Some of us are really strong in our identity, and some of your families might see this as disrespectful, but this is all about unity and family. It’s about showing that we are strong, and that we are 65,000 years of culture.
“When you’re up there, with no one else around but your brothers, that’s your moment to demonstrate what 65,000 years of culture really means.
“Your people will be there, and there’ll be so many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in that crowd.
“There will be so many watching who will be so proud to see that part of who we are.”
Brad, seven years older than Bobby, took the lead as the All Stars practiced their war cry at their Perth hotel in the days leading up to the match, with Bobby proudly standing at the front.
The team’s strong camaraderie and unity were clear, culminating in an electrifying performance both before and during the match in front of 37,000 spectators at Optus Stadium.
After the game, two of Bobby’s closest family members, Brad and Bobby’s partner Georgia, shared their pride.
“Bob was all over the place out there, doing his thing. To see the player he’s becoming and how confident he is, he was too deadly tonight,” Brad said.
Georgia added, “I know this has been a dream of his for a long time. He came to the AFL All Stars in 2015 and said he wanted to be in the team one day. Ten years later, here he is. He played amazing, and I’m so proud of him.”
For Bobby, it was a moment he would never forget, kicking off his 2025 season in style, surrounded by friends and family.
“Ticked that off the bucket list. It was unbelievable to play here in front of family. I just loved playing alongside the brother boys and hope there are many more to come,” Hill said.
“We only had one training session, and to bond like that after 10 years of waiting, it was great to finally play this game again. Hopefully, we won’t have to wait that long for the next one.”