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"Hasn't done enough": Bobby Hill racing the clock
SEN • September 15th, 2025 3:12 pm
The Collingwood Football Club have left themselves in a brilliant position heading into the final two weeks of the 2025 AFL season.
After a sketchy close to the home and away season, the experienced Pies comfortably dealt with minor premiers Adelaide to re-establish a commanding upper hand, earning a much-needed weeks’ break ahead of a home Preliminary Final.
Despite the break, what has now been confirmed as a 2023 Grand Final replay against the Lions on Saturday afternoon will still prove a race against the clock for a select number of Magpies.
The most significant of absent Pies is ’23 Norm Smith Medallist Bobby Hill, yet to play since Round 15 as he continues to deal with personal issues.
A proven big-game player, Hill would be a welcome inclusion to the Magpies' 23, however just five days out, AFL.com.au journalist and SEN regular Josh Gabelich remains unsure as to his availability.
“I don’t think (coach) Craig McRae has an answer yet,” Gabelich told SEN Fireball.
“Positive signs across the last 10 days, but whether that’s enough, and whether one game since Round 15 is enough is going to be the big talking point. Big focus on him heading into Saturday.”
Beyond Hill, two of the Pies’ key pillars are also racing against the clock in order to secure their place in the Preliminary Final side.
“Big focus on Brody Mihocek as well,” Gabelich continued.
“He didn’t train too much on Friday; they’re dealing with a toe issue.
“He never misses, so there’s a fair deal of confidence that he will play, but with Dan McStay fully fit, not in the 23, they’ve got a big decision to make there.
“Jeremy Howe (adductor) is the other one. Tracking in the right direction, didn’t do the match sim on Friday.
“Whether he is fit in time for the Prelim is going to be the other big talking point, so three big names to follow at the Pies this week.”
When asked to state his personal thoughts, Gabelich is confident that two of the three on watch will make the final side, while Hill could still remain a further week away.
“I think Brody Mihocek will be fine to play, (and) I think Jeremy Howe will make it in time,” he said.
“I don’t think Bobby Hill has done enough - I think he might run out of time for this game, but I wouldn’t rule him out of a Grand Final.”
The Magpies host Brisbane in a blockbuster Preliminary Final this Saturday at 5:15pm, with the winner advancing to the 2025 AFL Grand Final.
