Will Hoskin-Elliott Biography

Will Hoskin-Elliott takes the mark of the round for round 8 of 2022.

Will Hoskin-Elliott's reveals that his delayed start to the 2019 season was due to a strange ball of fluid in his left knee that had to be drained several times.

Hoskin-Elliott had undergone minor surgery on the iliotibial (ITB) band – a large tendon running along the outside of the leg, crossing both the hip and knee joints – and had hoped to be back within five weeks to play in the season-opener against Geelong.

However, an excessive build-up of fluid on the outside of the knee led to the development of a soft lump that was slow to respond to treatment.

"It was frustrating because we'd set timelines and a few times we were set back a bit by this big, weird-looking thing on the side of my knee," Hoskin-Elliott said.

"It just blew up. It was in between the size a golf ball and a tennis ball. We drained it three or four times but the big ball of fluid just kept coming back. That was annoying because it kept me out, but eventually it settled down.

"The ball is still there even now. It's a fair bit smaller, but when I bend my knee it still pops out. It doesn't give me any problems though."

Will Hoskin-Elliott's recovery from a knee injury has been much slower than expected, with the club revealing he will be sidelined for a further five to six weeks.

Hoskin-Elliott underwent surgery to iliotibial band in his left leg on February 18 and the club refused to put a timeframe on his return.

In recent weeks Hoskin-Elliott has been increasing his running loads and intensity, and has been engaging in light ball skills, including kicking.

Will Hoskin-Elliott will undergo minor leg surgery.

Hoskin-Elliott had dealt with a problem in the iliotibial band in one of his legs for some time that has gradually worsened.

"He'll be off legs for about seven to 10 days then we'll just see how he goes from there," Collingwood football boss Geoff Walsh said.

"I wouldn't be putting any timeframe on it, because it's something we'll treat systematically as he returns to being able to run and that sort of stuff."

Will Hoskin-Elliott signs a contract extension that will keep him at Collingwood until the end of 2022.

"It's been absolutely awesome to come down and play for the Pies. I personally grew up barracking for the Pies, so to come home and play for them has been incredible," Hoskin-Elliott said.

Will Hoskin-Elliott kicks a career-high six goals against Fremantle at the MCG and, with 23 majors after 11 rounds, is on track to smash his previous-best season tally of 26, set in 2014 when he was at Greater Western Sydney.

"I think just having an outside life, having a bit of balance between footy and home, has obviously helped me hugely," Hoskin-Elliott said.

"Being able to be out there for pre-season for two seasons in a row, whereas at the Giants I missed a lot and I was always injured, (has also been a factor).

"So just the balance between footy and life and just (completing) the pre-season I think that's what's helped me."

Will Hoskin-Elliott says he has thrived under the guidance of Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley.

"He's not just worried about the footy side of things. He wants to know you as a person and who you are outside of footy," Hoskin-Elliott said.

"I get along really well with him. Most of the boys are exactly like me, they get along really well with Bucks.

"He cares for us as people as well as footballers. He's a real caring bloke."

Staying out on the park remains recruit Will Hoskin-Elliott's simple objective in 2017 after an impressive first-up showing for the Magpies on Thursday night. 

After five inconsistent, injury-interrupted and ultimately frustrating years at Greater Western Sydney, the former No.4 selection knows not much can be achieved from the stands.

"[It's] just to play more than a handful of games … just to stay out on the park," Hoskin-Elliott said.

"So far I have had a pretty successful pre-season so that is a big help."

Greater Western Sydney forward Will Hoskin-Elliott is traded to Collingwood for a second-round selection in next year's NAB AFL Draft.

"Will (Hoskin-Elliott) is an elite talent, someone we thought highly of as a junior and a player we have tracked throughout his career," Collingwood list manager Derek Hine said.

"There is tremendous upside in Will. With good hands, speed, excellent ball use and versatility, he has the tools to be a quintessential modern player.

"We’re looking forward to him getting into our program, knuckling down and making an impact with Collingwood for a long time to come."

Will Hoskin-Elliott signs a new two-year deal with GWS that will keep him at the club until the end of 2017.

"We've had a really strong start to the season and I can see that the playing group is heading in the right direction," Hoskin-Elliott said.

"I've been here from the start and I believe big things are around the corner for the club.

"Sydney feels like home for my girlfriend Kirstie and I, we've made some good friends at the Giants and I want to be a part of what we're building."

Will Hoskin-Elliott is set to miss the first 4-6 weeks of the season after injuring his right shoulder in the NAB Challenge.

The Giants' head of athletic performance David Joyce said the 21-year-old does not require surgery.

"We have explored a range of options for treating Will's injury and are confident that 4-6 weeks of rehabilitation will have him ready to return to action."

Mark LeCras has copped a one-week suspension for a head-high bump against Giant Will Hoskin-Elliott.

"He didn't need to do that. I spoke to him about it," West Coast coach Adam Simpson said.

"I've got no doubt he'd process it differently if his arm (that he broke recently) was 100 per cent. But having said that, it's still no excuse."

Dale Morris will miss Sunday's clash with Carlton after accepting a one-match suspension for tripping Greater Western Sydney midfielder Will Hoskin-Elliott.

Morris' six-year good record at the Tribunal allowed him to escape with the one-game ban following his early guilty plea.

Dale Morris has been cleared of any serious damage to his sprained left ankle but he remains an uncertain prospect to face Carlton in round five.

Initial fears were that Morris had sustained a broken leg when he collided with Greater Western Sydney midfielder Will Hoskin-Elliott.

Both players were substituted out of the game after their collision.

The Giants have protected their young stars from swooping rivals, confirming seven players have signed new deals with the club.

Jonathon Patton, Dom Tyson, Will Hoskin-Elliott, Andrew Phillips and Sam Frost have committed until the end of the 2015 AFL season while Curtly Hampton and Aidan Corr signed through 2016.

"Everyone wants success, that is why you play the game and I think we are in the best position we can possibly be in," Patton said.

"The club has done an amazing job to put this list together. We have a lot of talent here. This is a great club to be at. This is a club you don't want to leave."

Will Hoskin-Elliott makes his AFL debut for GWS at Stadium Australia with 16 disposals (12 kicks and 4 handballs), 4 marks, 2 tackles and a goal in a 63-point loss to Sydney.