‘Working on himself’: Pies issue promising update on absent star in ‘delicate balance’

Collingwood coach Craig McRae is confident Bobby Hill is progressing towards an AFL return.

The Norm Smith Medallist has been in and out of personal leave since midway through the 2025 season.

He did not return to Collingwood training after the Christmas break and his timeline is unclear.

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But McRae is “constantly talking to Bobby” and is optimistic the exciting small forward will integrate back into training soon.

“Bobby is working on himself at the moment, we’re hoping that he’ll be in the program in the short or medium term,” McRae told SEN Breakfast.

“For most of (last) year, for Bobby, it was about love and support, and there was very little attention to high performance because we just wanted to care for him.

“Then there comes a time late in the year when they (conversations) become about high performance. That’s where it’s sitting at the moment.

“It’s always a delicate balance of those two magnets (and) they somewhat collide at times.

“But we’ll continue to love and support him, and at the right time, get him in the environment to push forward for high performance.

“I’ve been speaking to him regularly, yesterday even, I’m constantly talking to Bobby.

“It’s probably a bit too early to say (when he’ll return), but we’re confident that it’s progressing.”

Hill will be part of an experienced group of Magpies on the sidelines after skipper Darcy Moore and high-flyer Jeremy Howe suffered soft-tissue injuries.

McRae says both defenders are unlikely to tackle St Kilda in Opening Round next Sunday and will then be a weekly assessment.

“They’re both unlikely to play early in Round Zero, but they’re maybe touch-and-go for a little bit after that,” he said.

“But they’re both progressing well, they’ve just had recurring calf injuries, which is just part of our learning around their bodies.

“But they won’t play early in the season.”