Finding consistency in his game was a struggle for Will Hoskin-Elliott during his time at Greater Western Sydney.
At the Giants, the former first-round draftee often battled soft-tissue injuries and found himself in and out of the AFL side.
But in 2018, Hoskin-Elliott has emerged as one of the key pillars to Collingwood’s chances of a premiership that seemed so unlikely at the beginning of the season.
After playing all 17 games so far, the 24-year-old sits atop the club’s goalkicking charts, with 34, and Jordan De Goey next best, on 30.
What’s even more impressive is that Hoskin-Elliot has managed to kick at least one goal in 15 matches this season, including one in each of the club’s first 13 games.
Across the year, Hoskin-Elliott’s efforts have included five games of three goals or more, highlighting his ability to hit the scoreboard in droves.
There has never been any doubt about the former Western Jet’s ability to play the game at the highest level, the biggest questions raised have been surrounding his ability to perform at a consistent level.
But it now appears he has finally found that consistency, having played 39 games since crossing to the Pies during the 2016 trade period.
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Throughout much of the 2018 season, we have heard Collingwood players speak highly of coach Nathan Buckley’s ideology of allowing the team to play to their strengths – building his line-up on this idea.
This has seen Hoskin-Elliott form part of a mobile forward line, with Mason Cox acting as the key forward in the setup.
Under this system, we have seen the former Giant act as either a high half-forward linking up the play for his side or as a deep forward, often exposing opponents with his athletic ability.
It must be noted that Hoskin-Elliott has become accustomed to either of these positions due to the likes of De Goey and Rising Star favourite Jaidyn Stephenson also being able to rotate the position.
Within that trio, Buckley can shift the magnets depending on both the opposition and game situation.
All three have shown the ability to get off the chain in 2018, making them a nightmare for opposition coaches to plan for. Given the Pies looked primed for a September assault, the trio could will the Pies to the last day of September.
Of the Round 18 side that faced North Melbourne, Hoskin-Elliott had the most experience of any player named in the starting six forwards, haivng 90 games to his name.
Now in his fifth season, Hoskin-Elliott is the unsung leader of a young Collingwood forward line that has continued to exceed expectations.
The Pies are set to face finals-like games in the weeks to come, against Richmond, Sydney and Port Adelaide. With several young players in Collingwood’s side not having experienced September action, these upcoming matches could make or break their season.
Players like Hoskin-Elliott, who have performed well in the big games thus far this season, will be vital.
If Hoskin-Elliott continues his current trajectory, the future second-round selection Collingwood gave up for him in 2016 looks an absolute bargain.
Don Freo
Guest
To perform in the twos as a forward, you need a team in front of you that sends the ball up there. He got regular 2 and 3 goal hauls...just as he did at Freo.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Don he wasn't setting the world on fire in the twos as a small forward either last year. Not for want of trying, his commitment has always been first class. Credit must go to the Pies coaching and fitness staff to turn him into a Wing.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
They tried him as a forward for about 3 games. He was hardly tried.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
the difference with Mayne in 2017 and Mayne in 2018 is that the pies wanted him playing the small defensive forward role in 2017. For 2018, they trained him up as a Wing and got him super fit - it's why and where he has found his role. He took the p;ace of James Aish when he was injured and now Aish is back in the VFL so Mayney will need to hold his role now. To my Knowledge Ross Lyon never tried him as a defensive WIng but I could be wrong. Yes he may be a bit overpaid but at least he is playing a role. Felt sorry for the bloke last year with all the scrutiny so great to see him in the side. In the unlikely event of a flag this year Mayney would be one of those amazing stories that always emanate from premierships.
Don Freo
Guest
The only difference with Mayne from last season to this is that Collingwood is now giving him a game. He didn't fail last year...they just didn't try him. He is proving his worth. $500k is not big bucks in the scheme of things.
Davo
Guest
When I say big bucks I mean overpaid for his performance. The Roos and Carlton tried to buy the top ten draft pick from Brisbane at an overinflated price. The magpies got their man at a lower price but still well over market price. I don't think he has performed as they expected and Mayne who is on aprox. 500,000 you can't honestly say he has been worth the money. Overall Collingwood have recruited well.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Dimma and Bucks seem to like each other too Mr Toad. Dimma is a likeable bloke like a lot of the Tigers players.
Fat Toad
Guest
Max the Hat, thanks for the comments these sorts of assessments are always appreciated. I have felt that Collingwood is building a group that really enjoy each other's company and are committed to each other. Your assessment of WHE's personality adds some color and texture to that.
Fat Toad
Guest
I just copied this across but it has been consistent with how Hardwick described the outcome from the first game this season. What it demonstrates is that coaches see the game in different terms to the casual observer. It was also in the context of an earlier comment that Collingwood is simply copying Richmond. Any strategist will always be scanning the horizon for ideas about how to improve and but also to look for loose bricks in an opponents strategic position. You can loose a game but still have developed awinning strategy but possibly not had the means and resources to implement with sufficient force to get a win. During the course of a season, there will be a number of times each year that a team that has been going well will fall back to the field, while this can be the mystical thing "form" coaches are constantly watching to see what worked against who. What works is quickly adopted and adapted, and what was novel one week is the standard tactic a few weeks later. The other aspect of what makes this interesting is that while coaches will often acknowledge another team played well I have very rarely heard a coach say openly that they have adopted some aspects of another coach's or team's strategy. In this case, it is a lot more than platitudes and I think the tone of the word about how Hardwick and Buckley view each other is also instructive. I do not know their relationship away from the field, but I strongly suspect that they have both been watching each other's strategies quite closely for years. Even when Buckley was going okay and Richmond not so much, Buckley always commented that he rated Richmond and the way they played. Early on, he had recognised something that many others had missed, since what lifted Richmond to premiers were not major changes just fine tuning around their existing strengths.
peter chrisp
Guest
What a pain in the class De Goey has been ruled for 2 weeks?
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Good stuff Max, if you don't mind me asking how did you get to interview Will?
Max Hatzoglou
Roar Pro
I was recently lucky enough to speak with the man himself, Will Hoskin-Elliott. One of the nicest men you'll find, we spoke about his time in Western Sydney, his journey before AFL football, coach Bucks, Collingwood, and what made this season a breakout year for him. He told me that having his first ever full preseason in his AFL career was the most influential aspect to his footy that has made this season a standout for him. He has played a big part in Collingwood’s success this year. Players like him who have been able to step up their games has made the biggest difference.
Cat
Roar Guru
A coach pumping up the opposition ... wow ... how typical. Show me a coach that doesn't just blow smoke up the oppositions back side and maybe the positives might start to mean something. Right now the platitudes are less than meaningless.
Fat Toad
Roar Rookie
I know this is a little off the current string, but after comments on Collingwood and Buckley in the last few days, perhaps you can see why Hardwick is a premiership winning coach and you are not. The interview below was reported on SBS today in the article about Houli. Despite the comfortable margin Hardwick says there was plenty to like about Collingwood. "I remember after playing them in round six I thought they were an outstanding side," Hardwick said on Thursday. "We took some things that they were doing - we thought they were doing them really well - and added a few of those dynamics to our game. "Bucks (Nathan Buckley) is coaching them really well and they're playing really well so it's going to be an incredible challenge for us."
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Callum Brown has been knocking the door down Doran but I know its not a like for like. Jamie Elliott isn't ready yet and they might bring Ben Crocker back in.
Doran Smith
Roar Guru
Who do you think will replace him?
Doran Smith
Roar Guru
Good point Peter.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Massive blow for the Pies with De Goey ruled out for the tigers clash.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Forgot about Stephenson, handy. True but North allowed Collingwood to bomb in with impunity so they didn't really need to adjust. Daw would have caused that adjustment. Anyway, see what happens against the tiggers.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Your holiness a lot of our small forward marks (De Goey, Hoskin, Stephenson, Thomas) are running chest marks. basically the ball is kicked into space and they outrun the defender to catch it. Height won't help stop that only speed will. Even as quick as Saad is he was outrun at times and caught out against the Pies.