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Wednesday, May 8, 2024

GWS’ Bobby Hill to make VFL comeback after cancer

GWS goalsneak Bobby Hill will make his return from testicular cancer in state league ranks on Saturday.

Hill will play in the Giants’ last VFL game this season – his first match since an AFL appearance in round 11.

The 22-year-old forward had surgery in early June and has been cleared to return to action, the Giants said on Friday.

Hill’s future at the Giants remains uncertain with Victorian clubs understood to be circling.

Hill asked to be traded to Essendon in last year’s trade period, citing a desire to be closer to Victorian-based family, but the Giants held him to the final year of his contract.

Giants prepared for the Nat Fyfe of old

Meanwhile, GWS midfielder Tom Green is embracing the chance to line up on Nat Fyfe for the first time as the Giants set about putting a dent in Fremantle’s AFL top-four hopes.

The Dockers need to beat GWS in Canberra on Saturday and then hope either Collingwood or Sydney lose in order to snare a top-four berth and the double finals chance that comes with it.

Fremantle forward Rory Lobb has been ruled out due to his ongoing shoulder injury, but Fyfe returns for the first time since straining his left hamstring three weeks ago.

Fyfe is set to play a significant stint up forward in the absence of Lobb and Matt Taberner, but he’ll also be unleashed for some midfield minutes.

Green, who has become one of the AFL’s best young midfielders, can’t wait to come face-to-face with the Dockers skipper, and he isn’t expecting an easy ride.

“I actually haven’t played Nat Fyfe in my career, so I’m personally looking forward to it,” Green said.

“We know what a champion he is. He’s a two-time Brownlow medallist and he’s been a superstar for the best part of a decade now. 

“As a young player, I’m really excited to go head to head with someone of that calibre. 

“He’s had to battle some injuries this year, but with all champions, they always seem to find a way. So we’re not expecting a lesser version of Nat Fyfe.”

The Giants sit 16th with a 6-15 record.

But the lure of halting Fremantle’s top-four charge will serve as added incentive in Saturday’s match.

“It’s certainly been one of our motivations … if we can cause any havoc to some teams that set themselves up for a big September,” Green said.

Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir is expecting GWS to send Harry Perryman to tag star midfielder Andrew Brayshaw.

Brayshaw was heavily tagged by West Coast’s Jackson Nelson last week, with the tight attention resulting in a series of scuffles.

Fellow Fremantle midfielder Caleb Serong did his best to help Brayshaw break the tag, and Longmuir praised the way they worked together.

“They’re like twins, they’re like brothers from another mother,” Longmuir said.

“They look after each other well. They are good mates off the field, strong leaders at the club, and really embody the behaviours we want to see. 

“I was not only rapt with Caleb’s ability to look after his teammates – because he’s been doing that all year – but I think the last couple of weeks we’ve seen some of his better form return. 

“He’s really leading the way with his ferociousness at the contest and the man early on, which is setting us up.”

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