“I played all of my juniors out at Kalkee, my whole family was always out there,” he said. “I played there until 2013 before I went over to Horsham Demons.”

As a junior he said Campbell Smith was his most prominent coach.

“My main coach as a junior was probably Campbell Smith – he was a really good junior coach and the standout for me and he just knew how to coach juniors,” he said.

Hobbs broke into the senior Kalkee team one premiership into the side’s five Horsham District premierships in a row.

“2008 was the first senior grand final in that winning patch and I missed out on that one but squeezed in for the next four premierships after that,” he said.

“I didn’t know anything different – playing senior football I just assumed everyone trained and played that hard. It was good to be around for sure. 

“Watching Steve Schultz run around was pretty amazing – he just kicked bags of goals. He has copped a bit of stick now for retiring and coming back. He is still helping out in the forward line now.

“He isn’t as damaging as he used to be but he is still good to have and keeps the young guys in line.”

Hobbs then joined Horsham Demons in the Wimmera Football League. 

“2014 we won the premiership and just got over the line against the Saints,” he said.

“That was pretty amazing and then we missed out the next two years and pipped Minyip-Murtoa last year.

“It was similar to Kalkee – winning is what they know, they train hard and there is a great culture at the club. Everyone wants to be successful and they work hard to get there.”

Hobbs’ time with the Demons was capped off by winning the club’s best and fairest in its premiership-winning season last year. 

“It was a good achievement but that team spoke for itself, I didn’t have to do too much,” he said. 

After last season Hobbs was lured back to join a restocked Kalkee side. 

“I always wanted to come back to Kalkee but I didn’t think it would happen this soon,” he said.

“All of my brothers are there at the moment. I wanted another year playing with my oldest brother Brendan but he has been struggling a bit in the twos. Then I’m playing with Xavier and Lindsay is our runner. He used to play footy but then lost his arm in an accident.

“The sole reason I came back was to play footy with the brothers while Brendan is still running around on his last legs.”