The Swampies may be licking their wounds after going down to Murray Magpies last week by one point and losing inspirational defender Brent Piltz for the remainder of the season with a broken leg.

Hillier, 26, conceded the costly loss probably signalled the end of Henty’s top-two aspirations, but said the Swampies had the ability to win four 

finals in a row to claim back-to-back flags.

“We have been a bit up and down all season and are yet to play consistent football,” Hillier said.

“Saturday’s loss against Magpies, combined with a hard run home, will make it tough to snare that double chance.

“But you want to be playing the best sides before the finals, so we will see how we go.

“We have definitely got the side to win four finals if that is the cards we are dealt.

“We have had our fair share of injuries and having a full list to choose from for finals will be the key to success.”

The Swampies only lost three matches on their way to claiming a drought-breaking flag last year, but have already dropped four this season to sit fourth with a 7-4 record.

Hillier said covering the departure of premiership stars Jamarl O’Sullivan, Sam Murray, Ryan Hon and Jason Brown was always going to be a tough ask.

“You are never going to be able to cover the losses of four quality players like that,” he said.

“But with our recruits, I think we have got a more even spread this year, which will hopefully hold us in good stead for the finals.”

Hillier said he was still coming to terms with Piltz breaking his leg last Saturday after falling awkwardly in a marking contest.

“It was shattering to see,” he said.

“He is obviously a favourite son at Henty and would have the best record of any player in the Hume league.

“I suppose the only upside for us is Harrison Macreadie has almost completed his NSW-ACT Rams’ commitments and will go a long way to covering the gaping hole left by Piltzy’s injury.”

Hillier joined Henty from Riverina league heavyweight Wagga Tigers in 2009 and notched his 100th match with the Swampies last year.

The prolific ball winner 

won the Swampies’ best and fairest award in 2013, as well as taking out the Border Mail-WAW Credit Union Footballer of the Year award.