{"id":74405,"date":"2025-08-17T05:59:18","date_gmt":"2025-08-17T05:59:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/74405\/"},"modified":"2025-08-17T05:59:18","modified_gmt":"2025-08-17T05:59:18","slug":"norm-smith-medallist-bobby-hills-finals-hopes-under-threat-as-afl-absence-set-to-continue","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/74405\/","title":{"rendered":"Norm Smith medallist Bobby Hill\u2019s finals hopes under threat as AFL absence set to continue"},"content":{"rendered":"

Norm Smith medallist Bobby Hill\u2019s hopes of a recall remain in doubt ahead of the AFL<\/a> finals, with Collingwood coach Craig McRae flagging the small forward is still working his way back into calculations.<\/p>\n

Personal issues have restricted Hill to just one half of senior football and one game of VFL over the past two months.<\/p>\n

Despite missing selection for the Pies\u2019 loss to the Crows on Saturday night he travelled with the team to Adelaide instead of facing Port Melbourne in the VFL.<\/p>\n

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today \"Download<\/a><\/p>\n

Whether that decision helps or harms Hill\u2019s hopes of returning to the AFL side this season remains to be seen.<\/p>\n

\u201cBobby\u2019s getting better every day,\u201d McRae said after Collingwood lost to the Crows by just three points.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot sure if he\u2019s available next week but it\u2019s pleasing to have him back this week training hard for us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hill near his best would undoubtedly boost the Pies but it appears form is not the deciding factor, according to 7NEWS Melbourne\u2019s Mitch Cleary.<\/p>\n

\u201cFeels like Collingwood\u2019s senior players are just waiting to win a bit of trust back with Bobby Hill,\u201d he said on Sunday Footy Feast.<\/p>\n

\u201cEverything you hear around the club \u2014 he\u2019s been missing some sessions here and there, clearly dealing with some personal concerns away from the club.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think, hearing Craig McRae there, it\u2019s unlikely he\u2019ll play next week.\u201d<\/p>\n

If he misses out on a recall to face Melbourne next week, Hill\u2019s case could yet be helped by returning to play for Collingwood\u2019s VFL team.<\/p>\n

The reserves are set for a wildcard final next weekend and a win there would set up an elimination final during the AFL\u2019s pre-finals bye.<\/p>\n

Hill has kicked a goal in all but one of his AFL appearances this season and notched multiple majors in wins over fellow finals hopefuls Fremantle, Brisbane and the Bulldogs.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, McRae expects Jeremy Howe to be straight back in next week after missing the Adelaide game with concussion.<\/p>\n

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