Bobby Hill tips ‘unbelievable’ Tim Membrey to have huge impact on Collingwood’s forward line

Look away now St Kilda fans. One of the Collingwood’s most-important players is expecting Tim Membrey to have a huge impact for the club after being discarded by the Saints. Here’s why.

The 2023 Magpies are back and better than when they won the flag, according to Norm Smith medallist Bobby Hill.

The Collingwood small forward made an early statement with four goals for the Indigenous All Stars in Perth last Saturday night.

And Hill expects that form will flow through to the rest of his teammates after Collingwood spent the off-season preparing for another premiership tilt.

Harry Perryman, Dan Houston and Tim Membrey joined the Magpies during the off-season, priming the Magpies for a return to finals after finishing ninth last year.

“I have full confidence we’ll be back there in finals again,” Hill said.

“We’ve had some great players come into the team. I think it’s going to be like 2023, but maybe even better. I’m very excited to see what they can do.

Bobby Hill is expecting Tim Membrey to make a big impact for Collingwood. Picture: Michael Klein

“I’ve got full confidence in my game. I’m lucky I have a full pre-season under my belt so to get back to the Pies now should be good. I want to show my skills and my flair and hopefully have a good year as a club.”

Hill was full of praise for Membrey, who signed with Collingwood as a delisted free agent. The 30-year-old has played 179 games at St Kilda and Sydney, kicking 193 goals.

“Not only his footy but the person he is,” Hill said.

“He’s unbelievable. It’s a no-brainer for the club to take him. He’s playing with confidence and he’s going to help our forward line so much. I know the big boys have already been bouncing off each other. I don’t think our smalls are even going to get the ball.”

Hill found plenty of the footy for the Indigenous All Stars, booting a game-high four goals against Fremantle. Sharing the forward line with Charlie Cameron, Kosi Pickett, Liam Ryan, Michael Walters, Izak Rankine and Tyson Stengle, the 25-year-old can’t recall playing in such a talented attack.

“It shows the connection we’ve got and the brotherhood we play with,” he said.

“It’s fun footy. It’s always good to kick goals, but I wouldn’t have done it without the boys’ pressure. I was lucky enough to get on the end of them.

“It’s something I’ll cherish for the rest of my career and hopefully we don’t have to wait another 10 years.”

Bobby Hill lights up the Indigenous All Stars game with a traditional celebration.

Hill celebrated the opening goal of the game with a traditional Indigenous dance, setting the tone for an evening of passion and flair.

“I always love doing a dance, the shake a leg, which is a bit of a show-off dance,” he said. “To do it after the first goal was unbelievable. I’m proud of what the AFL has done for the Indigenous community, but also the boys and everyone here.”

Collingwood faces Brisbane and Gold Coast in a round-robin pre-season fixture on Thursday. Hill isn’t expected to play, but will be there to support his teammates.

Originally published as Bobby Hill tips ‘unbelievable’ Tim Membrey to have huge impact on Collingwood’s forward line