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 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 after a kick inside-50 from noted high-flyer Jeremy Howe.
"'Howey' kicked it and I thought I was him for a second," Hill said.
"I couldn’t see it (in the sun) so I brang (sic) it down.
"Just a good kick by Howey and just finished it off."
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.
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.
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.
"It’s a family club and I've never been happier," Hill said of his decision to choose Collingwood.
"It just shows coming out to play my best footy.
"I only had one meeting with you guys (Collingwood) in Sydney, it just clicked. I knew it was the right spot."
Hill's first season at the Pies has defied even the loftiest of expectations coach Craig McRae could have had of him.
"Bobby had his own struggles last year and they’ve been well documented ... the resilience shown for him to overcome that," McRae said.
"Obviously he wanted a change, sometimes we need a change at times.
"Funnily enough I was texting Bobby the year before. We saw the potential in this young lad. He chose us and we’re really grateful.
"I just love seeing young men grow up. Just the resilience shown over a number of years. We are a family club and we love you very much, Bobby."
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.
