I wish Hill and Stengle well, but the game must learn lessons from their exits

August 4, 2026 — 5:30am

You have reached your maximum number of saved items.

Remove items from your saved list to add more.

The news that Collingwood and Geelong had reached agreements with Bobby Hill and Ty Stengle to depart the club was hardly a surprise.

But that didn’t make hearing it any less disappointing as both were extremely talented players who starred on the biggest stages for their clubs.

Premierships, All-Australian selection and a Norm Smith medal bear testament to the ability they possessed.

More importantly they are also people who I care about having enjoyed the interactions I have had with them over the years. Like their teammates and coaches and fans, I only want the best for them in the next chapter of their lives.

But their untimely departures raise questions in my mind about whether we need to reevaluate the way we manage players as they learn what is required to be a professional athlete.

Although ultimate responsibility sits with each individual, the game needs to have an honest look at what it can learn from such untimely departures.

The first and most important question to consider is why the game seems to allow players to continue to make mistake after mistake without them being held accountable.

That’s all players regardless of background, gender or talent.

My........

© The Age