Editorial: There will be few redemption stories more remarkable in the AFL than Bobby Hill’s

There are few things more compelling in sport than a Hollywood-esque redemption story.

There will be few more remarkable in the AFL than Bobby Hill’s.

His is an incredible journey, that has taken him around the country, and seen him battle against form, favour and ill health.

A rollercoaster ride that has seen his rise from Northam Barons in the Avon Junior Football League to claiming one of the sport’s highest individual accolades.

Collecting his Norm Smith medal in front of 100,000 fans at the MCG, the newly-minted Premiership hero must have felt a world away from the Wheatbelt.

And given he was diagnosed with testicular cancer in May last year, he could be forgiven for thinking that playing anywhere, let alone on the game’s biggest stage, was wishful thinking.

Remarkably, his health battle was just the tip of the iceberg.

Having made the tough move across the country to Sydney as a fresh-faced 19-year-old he was in and out of a title-contending GWS side.

He fought hard to get into the Giants’ preliminary final team that edged past Collingwood before being dropped for the 2019 grand final.

While it might have been a good one to miss, with the Tigers beating the Giants by 89 points, it would have been a bitter pill to swallow.

His chances in the side didn’t get much better, and during a four-year stint in Sydney he played 41 games.

Limited chances on the field and the birth of his first son, Bobby Jr, in December 2021 inspired his request to move to Melbourne to be closer to his and his partner Georgia’s family.

They had to wait another 12 months for it to happen though, any prospect of a deal curtailed by chemotherapy in early 2022.

The young father received his wish to play in Victoria this season and his manager Andrew McDougall said winning the Norm Smith Medal demonstrated his character.

“It’s a testament to Bobby. He’s been through a lot,” McDougall said.

“He was at another club so he’s done the move to a new state, he’s got a young family, he got through testicular cancer and he got himself to Collingwood.

“Bobby’s an amazing person. He’ll transcend football and be a role model for kids for a long time.”

As is so very often the case with those who inspire, Bobby’s first reaction was to praise those around him.

Speaking after the thrilling four-point victory, he said while the Norm Smith Medal was a nice accomplishment, but he was happier with his premiership medallion.

“Full credit to my teammates to get me in good spots and I just finished it off.

“I just wanted a premiership medal and I got it and the Norm Smith can just go to my teammates.”

There are few clubs that AFL fans love to hate more than Collingwood.

But it would take a very one-eyed supporter not to be inspired by Bobby’s journey.

Responsibility for the editorial comment is taken by WAN Editor-in-Chief Anthony De Ceglie.