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When there’s a Will there’s a way

Will Collingwood's form continue improving? (AAP Image/Dean Lewins)
Roar Rookie
20th June, 2018
4

With strong hands overhead, impeccable skills and electric speed – Will Hoskin-Elliott is starting to fulfil his potential as a number four pick.

The unassuming forward is enjoying a career-defining season, booting 27 goals and leading the clubs goal kicking halfway through his second year at Collingwood.

But back in late 2016, Hoskin-Elliott’s career looked to be stalling.

Hoskin-Elliott looked likely to join the long list of top draft picks discarded by the expansion clubs after being restricted to just two games for the year and unable to force his way into a highly talented GWS team.

The now 24-year-old initially fielded interest from almost every Victorian club with his pedigree as a junior and raw athletic ability.

But it was Collingwood who eventually managed to lure Hoskin-Elliott back to the club he supported as a junior, securing the services of the line breaking wingman for a future second-round pick in the 2017 draft.

Since that trade, Hoskin-Elliott has flourished – playing every one of a possible 34 games, establishing himself as a potent offensive weapon and providing Collingwood with some desperately-needed pace and skill.

The signature of Hoskin-Elliott’s game this year has been his ability to hit the scoreboard.

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As of Round 13, he is the only player to goal in every round so far and has kicked ten straight in his two most recent matches.

Hoskin-Elliott has also taken his disposal to the next level in 2018, using his vision and class to hit targets inside 50 and act as the link between a youthful backline and unpredictable forward line.

Darcy Moore Collingwood Magpies AFL 2017

(Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)

The forward is the equal leader at Collingwood this year for goal assists, tied on ten with Taylor Adams. His 182 disposals hit the target more than 74 per cent of the time, well above the team average of 54 per cent.

After Collingwood’s empathic 61-point victory over Fremantle, Buckley commented that Hoskin-Elliott’s improvement was symptomatic of the football clubs development as a whole.

“He’s still developing as a player,” he stated. “We have shower some pretty creative ball use in the last couple of years, changing angles and shifting the ball, but we’re going forward a bit more this year… and I think that helps a guy like Will.”

After bagging six goals in the victory over Fremantle, Hoskin-Elliott said a key focus at the club had been creating more avenues to goal and improving the way the football was delivered inside 50.

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“The forwards are really working together, it was just my night, we had Jordy (Jordan De Goey), JT (Josh Thomas) and Stevie (Jayden Stephenson) all kick their bags, so it was just my turn.

“The connection between the mids and forwards is working really well this season, the skills coming inside 50 are way better this season than last and that’s helping”, Hoskin-Elliot said.

Hoskin-Elliott played 52 games for GWS before moving to Collingwood. He is out of contract at seasons end but looks almost certain to stay at the Holden Centre.

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