{"id":403055,"date":"2026-01-10T00:14:12","date_gmt":"2026-01-10T00:14:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/403055\/"},"modified":"2026-01-10T00:14:12","modified_gmt":"2026-01-10T00:14:12","slug":"collingwood-star-to-take-leave-of-absence-afl-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/403055\/","title":{"rendered":"Collingwood star to take leave of absence – AFL News"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\"MELBOURNE,MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JULY 17: Bobby Hill of the Magpies speaks with Magpies coach Craig McRae during a Collingwood Magpies AFL training session at Olympic Park Oval on July 17, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

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The Collingwood Magpies<\/a> have confirmed that star forward Bobby Hill<\/a> has been granted a leave of absence from the club, with the 25-year-old taking extended time off to deal with personal issues.<\/p>\n

Collingwood stated that the decision was mutual between the club, Hill and Hill’s management.<\/p>\n

It comes after a year of similar personal concerns and injury issues for the 2023 Norm Smith medallist, which saw Hill feature at senior level just once after Round 15.<\/p>\n

Hill had also been unable to train with the main group in the lead-up to the Christmas break, starting on a modified program. His hopes of returning to full training at Olympic Park soon were quashed further after battling a hamstring concern which arose after he began his lighter pre-season duties.<\/p>\n

Collingwood Executive General Manager Charlie Gardiner said the club would continue to support Hill in his time away from the sport.<\/p>\n

“We care for Bobby and his health and wellbeing remain the priority as he continues to work through his personal situation,” Gardiner said.<\/p>\n

“While on leave from the AFL<\/a> program, we will continue to support Bobby so that he can be in the best possible position to return to the Club in a full-time capacity when appropriate.”<\/p>\n

Hill was electric in the first half of 2025 before his setbacks, kicking 1.4 goals per game, which had him on pace to kick a career-high 35 goals.<\/p>\n


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