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Four goals: Magpie star's emphatic return to play
Jaiden Sciberras • September 7th, 2025 1:00 pm
Collingwood’s week has progressed from great to excellent, with brilliant news emerging from within the camp at Olympic Park.
Over the weekend, the Magpies united with Geelong to host a match simulation behind closed doors featuring all non-playing senior and VFL listed players.
Within the scratchy, a specific Collingwood star featured in what was his first hit-out since a VFL appearance in late July, dominating the contest in what may be an indication of a nearing return to top-level football.
“They played a scratch match against Geelong; it was behind closed doors,” journalist Jon Ralph told SEN’s Point of View.
“Bobby Hill kicked four goals. Let’s not get too excited about it as it is a glorified scratch match but what is really important is that he is out there, and he’s playing football.
“They’ve given him the runway, they’ve said to him, ‘we’re desperate for you to bank some training sessions, get two weeks in and you’re a chance to play’.
“So, it’s great that he did that, he just needs to be at every session, every rehab, every meeting, every whatever it is in the next week to give himself a chance.”
Ralph also provided an update on sidelined senior Pie Jeremy Howe, currently undergoing recovery from an adductor injury suffered in the final home and away clash of 2025.
The crucial defender has played an immense role for Collingwood this season, however given his luckless run with injury in the back end of the season, the 35-year-old will need to prove full fitness before a return is considered.
“Jeremy Howe, his coach has said, ‘we’re risk takers. We’re prepared to take calculated risks. We’re not putting blokes in just because of reputation.’
“Jeremy Howe, who has been subbed off with either a groin or concussion in his last four games, who has played probably 40 minutes of football since Round 18, it’d be a massive risk.
“But we all know how good he is, so I’d imagine they’d give him a couple of gruelling fitness sessions and maybe a little match sim next Saturday.
“He’d need to prove that he’s right and have multiple sessions of full speed to get through. From there, they still might not pick him.
“A couple of watches for those Collingwood stars.”
Following a triumphant win over Adelaide in their Qualifying Final, the Pies will lap up a well earned weeks break as they look to recover for a clash between the winner of Gold Coast and Brisbane.
