Bombers hold fire on making serious play for Giants forward
GREATER Western Sydney forward Bobby Hill contacted Essendon last month about making a fresh start in red and black next season.
Hill, 21, reached out to the Bombers in the days after Melbourne won a drought-breaking premiership. He sent a text that said he wanted to play for Essendon next season.
In particular, Hill was attracted to the proud Indigenous culture at Essendon and wants to move to Melbourne,
where there is more family support for his pregnant partner.
But a deal remained a long way off on Monday night. Essendon was being pragmatic about its approach to a trade considering Hill pushed it from the outset.
While Essendon has earmarked a third-round pick from either this year’s draft (51) or next year’s draft to clinch a deal for Hill, the Bombers could walk away if they are asked to stump up more.
Essendon is adamant it will not part with its top pick (11) for the electric forward and is instead open to splitting that selection for decent calls on two talented teens from this year’s draft.
Hill has some brilliant offensive gifts and would add top-line speed, polish and goal-kicking nous next to Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti in the Bombers’ forward half.
Preliminary talks between GWS and Essendon began on Sunday but the trade request only hit the Giants last week in a move that has left unimpressed GWS chiefs strongly considering holding Hill to his contract for next year.
The Giants have made it clear they will be prepared to keep Hill at the club next season against his wishes in the same vein Geelong held Tim Kelly to his contract in 2019.
The Giants are even more inclined to shut down Hill’s trade request to Tullamarine after Hawthorn star Chad Wingard turned down the Giants’ offer to head north.