‘Bobby’s was better’: High-flying king Jeremy Howe in awe of Bobby Hill’s heroics and mark

Jeremy Howe has long been the AFL’s premier high flyer. He’s ready to pass the mantle to teammate Bobby Hill after his jaw-dropping effort on the weekend.

Footy has a new speccie king.

If Bobby Hill’s Grand Final heroics weren’t enough last year, the Collingwood excitement machine on Sunday took the mark of the season with an electric leap in the second term of Sunday’s remarkable comeback win.

And it was a rare double-booster.

Hill not only got a ride on the left shoulder of Jackson Archer, he got a secondary lift on the right shoulder of teammate Billy Frampton to give him extended elevation.

Somehow, the Norm Smith Medalist took it cleanly in his hands, and then completed the unforgettable grab landing softly on his feet.

Bobby Hill of the Magpies takes a spectacular mark over Billy Frampton and Charlie Comben on Sunday. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

It put Hill’s mark ahead of a similar screamer from Jamie Elliott on Anzac Day as the Magpies got out of jail with another Houdini act in the final term.

Jeremy Howe, who might have to hand over his crown as the best aerialist in the game, said “Bobby’s was better” than Elliott’s against Essendon.

And there was a nice celebration as well as Howe said Hill patted his own head after the big grab.

“He went like this (patting his hair). He dusted his head as if he hit the roof,” Howe said.

“It was an impressive grab. He goes for a few.

“Maybe some are unrealistic but that one he managed to stay up and was pretty calm and collected up there.

Bobby Hill dishes the ball off to Beau McCreery while mid-air. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images.

“Counter balance is a bit of an issue because if he got pushed to the side and he goes lateral (falls) it is game over because you probably hurt yourself.

“But he went straight up and was able to control it.

“It is good to see him get some reward because he works his arse off.”

Hill, who booted four majors in the premiership decider last year, landed at Collingwood for a future second-round pick as part of a masterful trade for the former Giant in 2022.

Howe was in the back line as the Kangaroos piled on an avalanche of goals in the first half on Sunday to kick their highest score of the year and more than 100 points for only the second time in two-and-a-half seasons.

Howe, who was shifted forward to help provide a target, said at half time coach Craig McRae uttered a word the Magpies had never heard out of his mouth.

“Fly used the word ‘disappointing’ and I don’t think I’ve ever heard him say that. That cut pretty deep for the playing group,” Howe said.

Bobby Hill silences the crowd after kicking one of his five goals on the weekend. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

“So it was like let’s work in the second half, it will turn but it is going to take a lot of work.”

Howe said North’s on-field pressure was the best Collingwood had been subject to all season, but the Magpies clinched another thrilling victory to rise to third spot on the ladder after losing the first three games of the year.

He said the first goal of the last quarter was crucial as Harvey Harrison snapped a major, sparking the Magpies, followed by Hill who bagged two of the next three on set shots.

“When you are getting out to 50 points (deficit) it is getting a bit of a stretch. We knew we would finish strong but you want to keep it (margin) in the four-to-six goal range,” he said.

“We managed to kick a couple and get the ball rolling and it felt like we really put the hammer down towards the end and was lucky enough to get away with it.”

Collingwood hopes to regain Brody Mihocek, Scott Pendlebury, Joe Richards, Mason Cox and Jordan De Goey after the bye in a major boost to the playing stocks in the second half of the season.

“The bye comes at a great time,” he said.

“For how we started I think our last 10 weeks have been really strong. We are building.

“Last year we were pretty healthy. This year is a bit different.”