Collingwood’s Bobby Hill Suffers Another Setback in His Bid to Return to Football
Collingwood forward Bobby Hill’s highly anticipated return to AFL football has hit another significant roadblock, compounding what has been an extremely challenging period for the Norm Smith Medallist. The 25-year-old star — who played a pivotal role in Collingwood’s 2023 premiership triumph — is facing continued hurdles as he works through a combination of personal and physical issues that have stalled his comeback.
Hill’s 2025 season was markedly disrupted. After a strong start to the year, his campaign unravelled in the back half as he grappled with off-field personal problems and fitness concerns, ultimately limiting him to just one senior appearance after Round 15 — coming off the interchange bench as a substitute. Despite his best efforts to return towards the finals, he was unable to accumulate the requisite training and VFL match minutes to earn selection for Collingwood’s finals campaign, with the Magpies falling short against Brisbane in the preliminary final.
The issues have continued into the pre-season. Hill started training on a modified program as the Magpies began preparations for the 2026 season, but hamstring tightness has further complicated his ability to reintegrate into full-time training with his teammates.
In a further twist, on January 9, 2026, Collingwood confirmed that Hill had been granted a leave of absence to deal with a “personal situation,” a decision made jointly by the player, his management, and the club. The club emphasised that Hill’s wellbeing remains the priority, and that they will continue to support him while he works through these matters, with no clear timeframe yet set for his return.
The nature of the personal issues has not been fully disclosed by the club. However, reporting suggests Hill experienced a relationship breakdown and has been dealing with the associated emotional and logistical challenges, which have inevitably affected his focus and availability for football.
Adding to the complexity, while the hamstring complaint isn’t considered a season-long injury, it has prevented him from participating in full squad training. This makes it difficult for Collingwood’s coaching staff to gauge where he is physically and whether he can reach the required level of match fitness in time for Round 1 of the AFL season in March.
Hill’s situation has been described within the club as “day-by-day,” with Collingwood coach Craig McRae previously indicating that while the door was left open for Hill’s return, the club’s immediate focus was on his wellbeing rather than pushing him back into the side too soon.
Hill’s emotional investment in his footy is clear. He has publicly expressed a desire to return to AFL action and had asked to be considered for a potential finals recall late last season, indicating his eagerness to contribute despite the personal battle he was facing. That determination was evident in his early pre-season efforts, where he continued to attend training sessions and work with fitness staff despite not completing full sessions with the main group.
The setbacks are particularly disappointing given Hill’s talent and importance to Collingwood’s forward structure. Since crossing to the Magpies from Greater Western Sydney at the end of 2022, Hill has become one of the most potent attacking weapons in the competition. His quick bursts, goal sense and ability to unsettle defences were on full show during the 2023 season, culminating in a standout performance in the Grand Final that earned him the Norm Smith Medal — awarded to the best player on the ground in the premiership decider.
Hill’s contract situation suggests that Collingwood remain committed to him long term. In early 2025 he signed a four-year extension, tying him to the club until at least the end of the 2030 season, illustrating the faith Collingwood’s list management has in his talent and future contribution.
Despite these promising long-term signs, the immediate focus for Hill and the Magpies is clear: health, stability and readiness must come first. Should he overcome this latest setback and stabilise both personally and physically, there is optimism he could yet return to senior football later in the 2026 season. For now, the club and supporters alike are hopeful that Hill receives the time and space he needs to return stronger, both on and off the field.
