Bobby Hill Nearing AFL Return After Intense Training Block
Collingwood supporters have reason to be optimistic as star forward Bobby Hill edges closer to a return to the playing field. According to former Pies sports science director David Buttifant, Hill has undergone a month of rigorous training at the club and could be back in action in the Victorian Football League (VFL) soon.
Buttifant suggests that after a few VFL appearances, Hill could be in line for an AFL comeback within approximately seven to eight weeks. This news follows Hill’s return to training this week after being granted an extended personal leave of absence in December.
A Strategic Return to the Field
The AFL’s recent rule changes, including the introduction of an extended five-man bench, could prove beneficial for Hill’s reintegration. Buttifant explained how this might facilitate a smoother transition back into the top flight.
“He’s looking at a good month,” Buttifant commented on Hill’s current training phase. “We’re seeing now the velocity of game has gone up. The rule changes, the extra player on the bench, which probably does support him a little bit. He plays three games in the VFL, they bring him in and play him 30-40 percent (game time) as a way to transition him smoothly.”
However, he cautioned against rushing Hill back into full capacity too quickly.
“But if he goes into 75-80 percent game time, he becomes predisposed to fatigue, soft-tissue injury.”
The Challenge of Match Conditioning
Buttifant stressed that replicating the intensity of a competitive AFL match during training is a significant challenge.
“That combatant workload, that’s going to be the challenge for him,” he stated. “You cannot replicate the same intensity as game day. That’s where (Collingwood) will need to be relatively strategic in managing his workload well in the VFL, and getting him to the AFL.”
He elaborated on the potential pitfalls of an immediate AFL return.
“If they hop him straight in (to the AFL), he might get through the first week, but it’s usually the second and third week that it catches up on them. It’s residual fatigue, more predisposed and susceptible to having an injury.”
Therefore, a realistic timeline for Hill to be fully match-ready is likely around a month, with a crucial transitional period in the VFL.
Training Regimen for AFL Readiness
The Collingwood coaching and sports science staff are reportedly implementing a multifaceted training program to get Hill back up to AFL speed. Buttifant offered insights into this approach, acknowledging the complexities arising from Hill’s time away from the club.
Key components of the training are designed to mimic the demands of AFL football:
- High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT): Focusing on short, explosive efforts to build anaerobic capacity.
- Agility and Change of Direction Drills: Incorporating 30-40 metre sprints with rapid directional changes to enhance his renowned evasiveness.
- Footy-Specific Movements: Drills designed to replicate the unique patterns of play and demands of Australian Rules Football.
- Body Work: Exercises aimed at strengthening the body to withstand the physical demands of the game.
“Slotting him into small-styled games, high intensity interval training,” Buttifant explained. “30-40 metre sprints, changing direction. A lot of footy specific stuff. Body work as well. Replicating the movement patterns you see in a game.”
In addition to on-field drills, Hill will also be heavily involved in gym-based conditioning.
“He’ll be hitting the gym as well but they’d be trying to get his conditioning up as fast as they can and then allow him, his body, to recover. That’s going to be important.”
The Impact of De-training
Buttifant also highlighted the potential for a longer recovery period if Hill has experienced significant de-training during his absence.
“It could take longer to. It could take up to six weeks, because that offload period, you de-train, and when you do, it takes a month, month and half. It depends how much he’s de-trained.”
Hill was recently sighted at Collingwood headquarters, walking through the facility, but did not participate in training sessions. The Magpies are scheduled to host GWS this Friday night at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
