David Hille Biography

David Hille and Nathan Lovett-Murray will play their final games against Richmond after announcing their retirement.

"I've really enjoyed the people and friends I've made over my time at the football club," Hille said.

"A lot of the young guys have developed really well and I've got a lot of confidence in the team moving forward; I'd love to be a part of it but I'm not going to be, and I wish them all the best."

"When I first came to the club I was hoping to play one game and I've played 145; I've had a really good run and it's a great club," Lovett-Murray said.

"I was lucky enough to play in a couple of finals, but playing in the Dreamtime game and on Anzac Day was always a big highlight of my career."

Veteran ruckman David Hille signs a one-year contract with Essendon.

"My hunger, desire and passion to compete at the highest level is as strong as it has ever been," Hille said.

"My body feels really good and I'm looking forward to the challenge and hard work of the upcoming pre-season. As a playing group we've come a long way together and I want to make sure we continue down that path."

Veteran ruckman David Hille is happy to fight for his spot in Essendon's best 22.

"If I'm not playing well enough then I'm not going to be in the team, just like anyone," Hille said.

"That's what it all comes down to - performance - and that's how it should be."

Lukas Markovic is set to make his debut for the Bulldogs against Essendon in round 1 of 2011.

"I'm 24 now, which is still young, but there are guys debuting at 18," he said.

"It means the world to me. It's been a hard slog to get back and get another opportunity at AFL footy and to get to this position where I am. To get a game ... it's a dream come true."

Ruckman David Hille has re-signed with Essendon until the end of the 2012 season.

"This contract will see me stay at the Bombers until I am 31 years old," Hille said.

"That will be 13 years at the one club which is something I am proud of. I am one of the senior guys now and it's good to be able to help the young guys develop during this period of transition at the club.

"We are looking to develop a team that can compete in September and it's a good time to be at Essendon."

Essendon big man David Hille is planning to put his reconstructed knee to the test against Geelong in the Bombers' 2010 season opener.

"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.

"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."

Essendon big man David Hille will have his first competitive hitout in an intraclub match at Shepparton today since succumbing to a knee injury in 2009.

"For David Hille in particular this is another little stepping stone in his recovery," Bombers football manager Paul Hamilton said.

"He's been involved in competitive training but this is our first match as such."

Essendon ruckman David Hille may not be ready to play by the time the club faces Geelong next year.

"He's progressed from doing a lot of straight-line running to a lot more football activities," assistant coach Ashley Prescott said.

"With the program he's got, he just needs to reach certain milestones. If he achieves that, he could be a chance but we'll certainly make sure he's achieved all those."

Essendon ruckman David Hille is planning to play in next season's opening round after a knee reconstruction after advice from his surgeon Julian Feller.

"Round one is my goal next year. Julian Feller seems optimistic that that is a realistic goal," Hille said.

"We are looking at getting up and running later on this year and a small amount of training, then looking to come back bigger and better next pre-season into round one."

David Hille will be out for 12 months after electing to undergo a traditional knee reconstruction.

Essendon ruckman David Hille will miss the rest of the season after scans confirmed the Bombers' worst fears.

Essendon ruckman David Hille landed awkwardly on his left knee in the opening minutes of Saturday's Anzac Day clash with Collingwood and is suspected to have ruptured his arterior cruciate ligament.

Tom Bellchambers is set to play a larger role supporting David Hille in the ruck for Essendon in 2009.

Bomber David Hille and Eagle Adam Selwood are free to play this weekend after being cleared by the match review panel.

Essendon's David Hille has returned to training after his run-in with a stingray at Albert Park beach.

Essendon ruckman David Hille is recovering from minor surgery after being stung by a stingray last week.

Bomber ruckman David Hille signs a new two-year contract with Essendon, keeping him at the club until 2010.