Bobby Hill will step out in a practice game against Geelong on Saturday as he pushes to be part of Collingwood’s preliminary final at the MCG.
The Norm Smith medallist, who starred in the Magpies’ 2023 flag win, has featured just once since Round 15 as he managed personal matters.
The 25-year-old remains a fan favourite, and while he is also scheduled for a paid appearance in Tasmania on Friday night, his real focus will be the scratch match designed to test his fitness and readiness for the cut-throat stages of September.
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McRae preaching patience
Coach Craig McRae was careful not to heap pressure on his mercurial forward.
“We’ll wait and see,” he said after the 24-point qualifying final win over Adelaide. “There’s no expectation on that. If he gets some minutes, that would be nice. I have said this week after week, one step he takes is a big one, and another one, another one, another one – we will just weigh that up. We have still got hope for Bobby.”
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Collingwood’s veteran depth carried them past Adelaide, with Steele Sidebottom kicking three goals, Jamie Elliott slotting four, and Scott Pendlebury collecting 23 disposals in his 27th final. Their 214 games of collective finals experience dwarfed the Crows’ 46, a gap McRae admitted the team had leaned on.
As the Magpies prepare for their next September challenge, Hill’s return would add another layer of firepower to an already seasoned outfit.