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Exclusive: Collingwood star progressing towards AFL comeback
Sam Edmund • March 18th, 2026 8:32 pm
Bobby Hill has taken a big step towards an AFL comeback, committing to a regular training plan.
The Collingwood star, granted an indefinite leave of absence in early January to work through personal issues, is back in training away from the club.
Hill has been a regular sight at suburban venues in recent weeks, with the company of a training partner, as things take a positive turn.
The Magpies have been buoyed by Hill’s training consistency and wellbeing and remain cautiously optimistic about his pending availability.
Should progress continue to be made, it is hoped the mercurial forward won’t be far off returning to the club in an official capacity.
Hill has also started reconnecting and talking to more Collingwood teammates in recent times, further fuelling belief he may be closing in on a return.
A Collingwood spokesperson today said the club’s main priority was to see Hill return to full health before any comeback was considered.
The 2023 Norm Smith medallist signed a four-year contract last April, but has only played seven games since, the last of them as a substitute against Brisbane in Round 21.
Collingwood coach Craig McRae last month told SEN Breakfast he remained hopeful Hill would return to the game.
“Bobby is working on himself at the moment. We're hoping that he'll be in the program in the short or medium term. We'll see how that progresses,” McRae said.
"We'll continue to love and support him, and at the right time, get him in the environment to push forward for high performance."
