Friday night’s game against Geelong will be Hille’s first since rupturing his ACL in last year’s Anzac Day clash with Collingwood.
But the Bomber big man says he will take no short steps in his comeback match.
“I’m of the opinion that if you’re out there you go for it. I’m more than confident in my knee and I’m looking forward to getting out there,” Hille said before training on Thursday morning.
“I’m assuming that with any reconstruction there is an amount of risk that is greater than an unreconstructed knee. It’s something everyone has and takes the risk of when they play.”
Hille made his pre-season return in the NAB Challenge match against Richmond and said the hit out helped dispel any doubts.
“I gained a lot of confidence out of the Richmond game I must admit. The game is increasing with speed every year and you wonder if you’ve been left behind. I got a lot of confidence out of that game and I’m feeling good,” he said.
The off-season departures of Matthew Lloyd, Scott Lucas and Adam McPhee have left spots open in Essendon’s forward line and Hille is set to spend more time in attack, while swapping in the ruck with Patrick Ryder.
“I think that’s been well-documented. My duties will be broken up more in the forward line and the midfield which I’m more than happy about, that’s fine by me,” he said.
“I’ll definitely be spending time up there but so will a lot of other players. Paddy and myself will rotate through those positions. Hopefully we can get them one out.”
The mass exodus of experienced Essendon players has left Hille as the third-oldest player on Essendon’s list behind Dustin Fletcher and Mark McVeigh. But the 28-year-old says he feels no extra pressure as a leader of the club.
“I don’t think so. I’m trying to do what I always do and it’s like anyone else. You try to focus on what you’re good at and helping the guys in the team the best way you can.”
David Hille is a $237,300 ruck in this year’s Toyota AFL Dream Team competition.
