Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell believes Bobby Hill would be a perfect on-field fit for Fremantle as they aim to improve their list following their heartbreaking grand final defeat.
The Dockers have quickly turned their attention to the off-season after they fell agonisingly short of winning their first premiership on Saturday, surrendering a late 17-point lead to go down to Brisbane by seven points at the MCG.
Hill, who was raised an hour outside of Perth in Northam, won the Norm Smith Medal for a four-goal performance in Collingwood’s victory over the Lions in 2023’s season decider, but parted ways with the club earlier this year after battling personal issues.
Mitchell, a premiership teammate of the dangerous small forward at the Magpies, said the Dockers would need to fill the void left by the retirement of stalwart Sam Switkowski.
“From a football personnel point of view, he does fit Fremantle, and they’re in the premiership pointy end,” Mitchell told AFL Trade Radio.
“But it’s everything around it that is a concern.”
“Isaiah Dudley, how good was his game, some of the things he did in the grand final? Throw in Bobby Hill as a similar type.”
On Tuesday, Hill said seeing Dockers star Shai Bolton win the Norm Smith Medal in the grand final had “put a bit of fire in the belly” for a comeback.
“I think I just lost the love of the game and now I’m back, full on and want to get back into it. I do miss it, so I can’t wait,” he told Nine.
“Hopefully, if clubs out there want me and, hopefully, I can get back on there, I’m pretty confident I can show what I can do, if not even better and win games for teams.”
Drafted out of Perth by Greater Western Sydney in 2018, Hill spent four seasons with the Giants before being traded to Collingwood in 2022.
In total, he has managed 117 goals across his 102 career AFL appearances, including 83 in his 61 games for the Magpies.
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