Collingwood star Jamie Elliott says the Magpies “definitely” have the forward depth to cover Bobby Hill’s absence.
Hill, the 2023 Norm Smith Medallist, has taken indefinite personal leave from Collingwood after a difficult finish to last season.
The Magpies will have a new-look forward line without Hill and Brody Mihocek, who opted to finish his career at Melbourne.
But Elliott, fresh off a career-best season, says it’s “an exciting time” for the lesser-known small forwards fighting for senior opportunity.
“Harvey Harrison, Will Hayes, there’s guys who can step into that role, ‘Sull’ (Lachie Sullivan) when he gets back from injury and full training,” Elliott said.
“There’s guys that can definitely come into that role – everyone adds a little bit different.
“Bobby is really dynamic, he’s a skilful player, he’s got a lot of X-factor.
“So hopefully these guys who come into the team, we’ll get a little bit more match sim coming up, and guys will get opportunities.
“It’s an exciting time for those guys as well. It’s not a set team, there’s plenty of guys with opportunity.”
Hill did not return after the Christmas holiday break, prioritising his wellbeing over football.
“I think from our standpoint, his health and wellbeing is the main thing,” Elliott said.
“So as long as he needs to stay away from the club, get his health right, we’re here to support him, but at the end of the day, football is second.
“Nah (he hasn’t been at the club), he took personal leave when we came back from the Chrissy break, so that’s where it stands.”
The Magpies will deploy an “unpredictable” forward line this season, knowing they can trust the stability of the Darcy Moore-led backline.
“Every team is trying to look for an edge on other teams,” Elliott said.
“Probably our offence looking to be unpredictable, but in saying that, when you are unpredictable, it’s hard to set up behind the ball and the defence gets tested out.
“But I feel like our group, we’ve got a really good defence, we can do that. We want to play an exciting brand of football as well.
“So it’s about how can we maximise that going forward and actually punish teams.”
