Collingwood Coach Expresses Hope for Bobby Hill's Potential 2026 Return
Collingwood coach Craig McRae has publicly stated that the Magpies maintain hope for the return of Norm Smith medallist Bobby Hill during the 2026 AFL season, despite the forward's ongoing absence from the club due to personal issues.
Uncertainty Surrounds Hill's Availability
In January, Collingwood announced that Hill, a Western Australian product, had been granted a leave of absence to address a personal matter. This followed an extended period away from the club during the middle stages of the 2025 season. Earlier this month, reports emerged suggesting the Magpies were not factoring the 2023 Norm Smith medallist into their plans for the upcoming campaign.
However, McRae provided a more nuanced perspective, indicating that while preparations are being made for the possibility of Hill's absence, the door remains open for his return. Bobby is not in the program but we are really comfortable he is getting to work on himself, and we are working through that, McRae told the AFL website.
McRae's Supportive Stance
The coach elaborated on the team's position, emphasizing support and optimism. I think it has been reported that we are preparing for life without Bobby and that might be the case in the early parts of the season but we have hope that at some stage he will walk back into our building, and we will wrap our arms around him and support him to be the best version of himself, McRae said. He added, We haven't completely ruled him out. We have hope for Bobby.
Hill's Career Achievements and Recent Challenges
Bobby Hill, originally from Northam, was drafted by GWS in 2019 before being traded to Collingwood in 2022. He rose to prominence by winning the Norm Smith Medal in 2023, thanks to a dazzling four-goal performance in Collingwood's narrow four-point grand final victory over Brisbane.
Across his 102 career appearances at the top level, Hill has kicked 117 goals, including 20 in 14 games for the Magpies in 2025. After returning from leave late in the 2025 season, he was notably left out of the side for Collingwood's preliminary final loss to the Lions, a decision McRae described as really difficult.
As the 2026 season approaches, the Magpies are balancing team preparations with compassionate support for Hill's personal journey, keeping alive the possibility of his impactful return to the field.
