BomberBlitz.com Exclusive Interview - David Hille

BomberBlitz: So, Dave! the journey started where?
David Hille: At school – The Peninsula School – then I was encouraged by my coach to go for the Dandenong Stingrays, and from there I went to Essendon!
BB: What was the name of your coach? Are you still in touch with him?
DH: Colin Burns – and yes, still in touch, get him some tickets sometimes!

BB: How far do you think you could have gone in volleyball and what influenced you to change to football?
DH: Anywhere – guess it’s hard to say! Would have liked to have played for Australia but who knows if I was good enough! Probably would have played State League – a lot of players do that! But yeah, it’s difficult to know – a few good friends of mine almost made it, and they were better than me at that stage.

BB: Did you also play basketball? At your size/strength/agility we think you could be a decent player!
DH: Only muck around stuff at school. I’d be a lot heavier than those guys – probably 20kg more than those of the same height or even taller.

BB: Did you ever do soccer? You often kick off the ground and soccer really good goals!
DH: For fun I did – extra curricular.

BB: What were your other options if football didn’t work out for you?
DH: Probably would have gone to uni, finished my degree, and would be working in an office somewhere! Maybe done a bit of travel, bit of surfing with my mates… Would have played local footy, and some volleyball too.

BB: Do you see yourself as a ruck with the potential to play forward, or a natural KPP who has been turned into a ruck?
DH: A ruck – well, that’s what I prefer. I’m not quick enough to play in the backline, and there’s a lot of pressure on a forward player to kick goals. We already have other guys who do that well.

BB: If a couple of the other guys work out well in the ruck, would you like a crack at CHF (over a few weeks straight, to work yourself into what most regard as the most difficult position on the paddock)?
DH: Can’t see why not! Whether I’d be any good or not, I don’t know. But if I was needed to do that, I’d certainly be willing to give it a go. Would certainly need to work on certain aspects of my game, but it would be something different!

BB: You seem to play your best football when given the responsibility of being the side’s main ruckman. Why do you think that is? Is it just a confidence thing? How does it feel to shoulder the # 1 ruck spot at Essendon?
DH: It’s not a confidence thing – it’s just the way I like it. I love the responsibility, having the team relying on me – yeah, as you said, it makes me play better. It’s great being the number one ruck – have been working towards it for ages and it’s really good being in that position now.
BB: We had an interview with Paul Salmon recently, and he mentioned how frustrating it can be, waiting for that main ruck role and not getting there.
DH: nods

BB: Speaking of Paul, how have our different rucks and ruck coaches – Alessio, Barnes, Salmon, Allan, Madden – helped you along the way?
DH: They’ve certainly all offered a different perspective, and helped me learn how to analyse my opponents – for example, think to myself what Cox will do, his strengths and weaknesses.

BB: Do you believe that yourself and Jason Laycock can become a lethal ruck combo, and provide the Essendon midfield with more hitouts to advantage than the opposition does each week?
DH: For starters, more hitouts to advantage – I’ll probably never dominate those like a Cox or an Everitt, but I know the better I do that, the better it is for the team! In terms of a ruck combo… Jason… and probably Paddy Ryder as well – they’re different sorts of players – probably see Jason more playing forward, and ruck when needed.
BB: Well, the next question was actually about Paddy Ryder – what are your thoughts on him so far?
DH: He’s great for someone so young! I was no way near that good at that age. Jason probably was, but has had injury problems along the way. Again, I don’t see Paddy as a ruck – I think he’s got the potential to be a Rocca type, going forward and getting his three goals a game. His passing is great too – can really hit a target.

BB: Was your jumper selection #19 at all influenced by the magnificent career of Peter Somerville?
Just how good was the great man? Should he have won a Brownlow?
DH: As players, we don’t get to select – I had 34, then was offered 19. Generally Sheeds does seem to like to keep some sort of lineage going – similar players – like 27 is a ruck number, and 19.
BB: And what about Somerville? Should he have won a Brownlow?
DH: grins I don’t know! Hard for us rucks to get votes!

BB: You are often compared with Collingwood’s ruck Josh Fraser, who was taken at # 1 in the draft, compared to your mid 40’s spot. Do you feel that you have something to prove to those who rated him so high, by comparison to yourself?
DH: I don’t feel like I have anything to prove…. If, in the future, that people were to compare how we’ve gone, and look at which pick we were taken at and say “what a good decision” then that’s my goal, well, one amongst many.

BB: Is there one ruckman you try to model your game on?
DH: A combination – Barnes, for his skill and running ability – Madden, for the ruckwork – and Salmon, for his marking.

BB: What do you think of the idea of doing away with the bounce in favour of the ball-up? How did the changes to the circle affect you?
DH: I’m a traditionalist! No need to bounce the ball around the ground, but keep the centre bounce. I was a bit scared of the changes at first, but have grown used to them, and now I don’t mind them at all!

BB: You’re a big boy Hilley, ever want to use your size on the football field to actually hurt someone? You know, smash a couple of people on the way to the ball? Or are you really a Gentle Giant?
DH: grins Don’t know! Wouldn’t consider myself a hard player, but if the ball is there, I’ll go and get it!

BB: Have you ever seen video footage of yourself in the reserves landing on your head in the centre of Windy Hill and knocking yourself out cold, and does the possibility of something like that happening again worry you?
DH: shakes head if it’s going to happen, it’s going to happen. I can’t remember having seen it… or… maybe I did… no, don’t know. I know it looked bad, some of the others thought I was dead, but Bully said he ran past and I was snoring so he knew I was breathing!!

BB: Where do you see Essendon finishing ladder wise at the completion of Rd22? (an honest answer here, not one to make us feel good!)
DH: In the eight. There’s the doubters out there, but the belief will come with winning games.

BB: You seem to nail goals from over 50 meters out and from all angles and then miss shots from 30 meters in front! Have you been working on correcting that in the preseason?
DH: I have actually! Changed my technique slightly and have been practising that.

BB: What do you consider your greatest strength / ability / skill on the football field?
DH: Probably my running ability – ruckmen are not renowned for that, enables me to get to more contests.

BB: How different is the atmosphere playing for Bendigo vs Essendon?
DH: Not even in the same league, just can’t compare… well, it’s about 30,000 people!

BB: Do you miss Ted Richards? Do you still talk with him?
DH: Yeah, we talk every week – I went up to see him during pre-season. Great guy!

BB: Do the players know who the ‘high 3’ are?
DH: ummm… what’s the ‘high 3’?!

BB: Favourite part of being an AFL footballer?
DH: the lifestyle…. And playing Anzac Day!

BB: Do you have any match day habits/ superstitions?
DH: Used to, but not any more… now it’s just go out and do it!

BB: Who will win the B&F this year?
DH: The guys that do the votes at the club, they tend to reward the players who perform the roles they’ve been given. If Pev is put on Bucks, and does well, then he’s likely to get votes. He’ll be up there around the top 5 again. Smokey – the way he plays, he’ll get some. Stants – he’ll do well, if he plays the whole season. JJ or MJ – there every week.

BB: Best Prank seen at the club?
DH: Has been some good stuff… can’t remember any specifically at the moment!

BB: If a tree fell in the forest would Jeff Gieschen still say it was okay?
DH: what the hell?!

BB: Is Kepler Bradley insane?
DH: grins not clinically!

BB: Did you consider getting into the Heritage Round with a massive pornstar moustache?
DH: ahhhh no!

BB: Has John Barnes taught you how to crack tinnies on your head yet?
DH: chuckles no!

BB: Which players on the list smile too often?!
DH: probably me!

BB: Study wise, what are you up to? What do you hope that will lead to in the future?
DH: A Business Property Management degree at RMIT – part time. This is my 7th year, but I’ve done other courses.
BB: And what will that lead to?
DH: I’m doing a Valuation stream, so Property Valuations, and Property Management.

BB: What was the last book you read?
DH: Last one I finished was “Bringing Down the House” by Ben Mezrick.
BB: What’s it about?

DH: Beating Blackjack. A group of MIT students who try to beat the casinos in Vegas.
BB: Wow… sounds interesting, might have to look it up!
DH: Yeah, I’ve read another one by him as well, “Ugly Americans”, which is to do with American traders heading to Japan and selling stock on the Nikkei. Great author.

BB: Does anyone still ask you questions about the car accident you were in with the other kids from Peninsula?
DH: It doesn’t come up that often, although someone did say something about it the other day.

BB: If you could own any type of business what would it be?
DH: One that made a lot of money!

BB: Do you believe that our economy should be entirely monopoly or oligopoly?
DH: considers well… it’s not going to be either really!
BB: laughing oh my god, you seriously knew what that meant, I had no idea!
DH: grins part of my economics course!

BB: What’s it like being sooo tall? What’s the weirdest thing anyone’s ever said to you about your height?
DH: What’s it like… well, it’s good being tall! The weirdest thing anyone has said is where someone came up to me, looked me up and down and said “you’re not THAT tall!”

BB: If Hugh Grant went up you, would he come down a mountain?
DH: confused look

BB: Could Jesus microwave a burrito so hot that he himself could not eat it?
DH: ummm… probably not!

BB: If you could be any tree, what would you be and why?
DH: I love some of the big elms that line the streets in Melbourne… dreamy look yeah, the big, graceful ones… it’s a really good question! Yes, I’d like to be an elm… apart from when the leaves drop off!

BB: Who let the dogs out?
DH: Kepler Bradley!

BB: Do you gamble? and if so doing what? Bingo?!
DH: No, it doesn’t interest me. I’m no good at it, plus I’m a bit of a tightarse!

BB: For the ladies of BomberBlitz: Would you date someone a lot short than you?
DH: Yes, I would.
BB: Are you single?
DH: Yes, I am single.
BB: Would you like to come to my house for dinner?

DH: What’s for dinner? grins
BB: Why are you so damn good looking?!
DH: looks bashful umm… no idea… good looking parents?!

at this point, David receives a phone call from an impatient Jason Johnson enquiring when he’ll be there for dinner!

BB: Do you/did you ever follow NRL? if so what team? How about A-League?
DH: NRL – used to live in Queensland so I supported Brisbane. And I follow Melbourne Victory in the A-League – hopefully they’ll do ok next season.

BB: Are you a cinnamon, iced or jam centred type donut man?
DH: Definitely cinnamon

BB: If you could hold a Guinness World Record, what would it be for?
DH: Sleeping

BB: Favourite cartoon character and why?
DH: Family Guy… and Homer. Why? Because they’re both ridiculous!

BB: What music do you listen to?
DH: Just about anything… but not country or R&B or Top 40.

BB: So what CD’s are on in your car at the moment?
DH: Well it’s a stacker… there’s Danger Doom… The Go! Team… Velvet Underground… Pendulum.. and The Strokes.

BB: What would the “David Hille” theme song be?
DH: Underworld – “Born Slippy”

BB: If someone made a film of your life, who would you like to play the lead role?
DH: thinks
BB: Ben Affleck would be similar looks wise
DH: yeah, but he can’t act… grins Matt Damon, he doesn’t look like me, but he’s a good actor. Or Phillip Seymour Hoffman – he’s amazing – even though he’s that much shorter than me, he’s that good, somehow he’d make himself taller!

BB: Three words to describe yourself?
DH: Relaxed… thorough… and easy going!

BB: What is your favourite colour M&M?
DH: Red

BB: Do you think milk should be added to instant coffee prior to boiling water or after?
DH: After

BB: Shorts or pants man?
DH: Pants

BB: Shoes or thongs?
DH: Shoes

Word Associations!

James Hird – Genius
Avril Lavigne – Terrible!
Rex Hunt – Hilarious
Anchorman – Ridiculous
Running drills – Nightmare
Kepler Bradley – Gold
Dick Reynolds – Legend
Mentawais Islands – Get me there!
Injuries – Annoying
The Phantom – Genius!
Simon Madden – Legend
Marat Safin – Half-brother!
Surfing – My release
Mark Johnson – Good bloke
Kevin Sheedy – Supportive

BB: And that’s it! Thanks Dave, you can head off to JJ’s for tea now! Please let him know that the interviews are good fun and quite painless!
DH: grins no worries!

Posted 26 April 06 in News