Collingwood Star Bobby Hill Makes Official Return to Magpies HQ
Collingwood premiership star Bobby Hill has taken a major stride towards an AFL comeback, officially returning to the club's headquarters for the first time this year. The 2024 Norm Smith medalist, who has been absent from the team since late last season, reunited with teammates and coaching staff at the Magpies' training base on Thursday.
Background on Hill's Absence and Personal Challenges
Hill missed the end of the previous AFL season and had not been seen at Collingwood since December of last year, when he took a leave of absence to return to his home in Western Australia. This move followed the breakdown of his relationship with his partner, Georgia Devlin. Despite his absence, reports indicated that Hill had been training privately after coming back to Victoria, setting the stage for his recent return.
Coach Craig McRae's Support and Reintegration Plans
Collingwood coach Craig McRae has publicly expressed support for Hill, emphasizing that the player's health is the top priority over football. McRae remains hopeful that Hill will be reintegrated into the club's training program in the short to medium term. However, Hill is still a considerable distance from an AFL return, having not played since round 21 of last year. He is scheduled to rejoin training as soon as Monday, but will need to complete an extended block of training over several months to prove his fitness before being considered for selection.
Long Road to Recovery and Future Prospects
As reported by Mitch Cleary on 7NEWS, Collingwood will require Hill to undergo a solid training period back at the club to demonstrate his readiness, with a potential return to play targeted for the second half of the season. This latest development signals that Hill has turned a corner and is actively pursuing a return to professional football. The small forward, originally drafted by Greater Western Sydney out of Perth in 2018, played a key role in Collingwood's 2023 Grand Final victory, booting four goals. He remains under contract with the Magpies until the end of the 2030 season.
Key Points:
- Bobby Hill returned to Collingwood's training base on Thursday for the first time in 2026.
- He took a leave of absence in December last year due to personal reasons.
- Coach Craig McRae supports Hill's health-focused approach and reintegration.
- Hill needs months of training before being considered for AFL selection.
- His contract with Collingwood runs until 2030, following his 2023 Grand Final success.
