As Collingwood prepare to battle Adelaide in a qualifying final, Bobby Hill’s focus will briefly turn to Tasmania.
The star forward is due in Hobart on Friday for a paid appearance, fronting two ticketed meet-and-greet sessions at the Albert Road Store. Entry has been set at $100 a head.
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Hill, who famously claimed the Norm Smith Medal in last year’s grand final, has endured a stop-start campaign this season. He has featured in just one half of AFL football and a single VFL match since Round 15 while managing personal issues.
Magpies keep door open for finals return
The 24-year-old was absent from Tuesday’s main training session, ruling him out of tonight’s clash with the Crows. Still, coach Craig McRae remains optimistic that Hill could return later in September.
“He won’t be available (for Thursday), he was never a chance to be available. We’re just getting some load into him,” McRae told reporters this week. “We’re rapt to have him back in our program and good to see him smiling again.”
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Hill has asked his coach to leave the door open for a late comeback, and his strong training performances have offered a glimmer of hope. Whether his journey back to the senior side unfolds this finals series or next season, his scheduled appearance in Hobart is the latest twist in a turbulent year.