Hill still weeks away from AFL after returning in the seconds as Pies take practical approach

Jarred Cross Published April 29, 2026 at 3.55pm (AWST)

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Hill is still a few weeks away from entering considerations for an AFL return, after playing in the VFL last week, but the decision will come down to performance, Pies coach Craig McRae has outlined. Image: Joel Carrett (AAP)

Collingwood will not rush Bobby Hill back into AFL football after the Norm Smith medallist played his first game since August last week.

Speaking to media ahead of Thursday night's blockbuster against Hawthorn, Pies coach Craig McRae said they'll take a pragmatic approach on Hill's return to the top level.

The 26-year-old hadn't appeared on-field before running out in the VFL against the Bombers on Friday afternoon.

Personal issues restricted Hill to one senior game after round 15 of the 2025 season, and was overlooked for Collingwood's preliminary final against eventual premiers Brisbane in September.

Fitness and performance will be the main determining factors in the timeline for slotting back into their senior lineup.

Hill will run out again in the VFL to face Box Hill this Friday night, but "where still a few weeks away" from the next level, the coach outlined.

"He played 40 per cent game time. That was the plan," McRae said of Hill's return, "he'll play 70-80 per cent this week".

"(He) pulled up well, had some in-and-out impact," he said.

"It was just pleasing to see him smile, and celebrate when he got a goal, and it's great to see our fans out there appreciating that.

"I often say, people have got to go through things to be better, and he's working through that."

McRae opted to stay tight-lipped on any planned date for Hill's return to AFL football, but added kilometres in the legs and high performance wil be what dictates the decision.

Collingwood are juggling a few selection decisions.

With veteran Scott Pendlebury nearing the all-time VFL/AFL record number of games played, the 38-year-old is set to be "managed" and miss Thursday's match up with the Hawks.

Needed two games to make in 433 appearances and leapfrog North Melbourne champion Brent Harvey on the tally, outside suggestion in Pendlebury will also miss Collingwood's trip to the SCG in a fortnight to bring up the milestone at the MCG against West Coast in round 11.

Pendlebury was happy to sit out this Thursday, McRae told reporters, after an arguably career-best outing on ANZAC Day,

On Hill, there's a comparable circumstance, McRae said.

"It's similar to Pendles — if (Hill) doesn't train well on Thursday, then he's probably not going to play Friday, Saturday," the coach said.

*Hill took part in his first piece of matchplay since August in the VFL on ANZAC Day Eve. (Image: Joel Carrett/AAP)*

McRae later added: "I think it comes down to more high performance at the moment than what Bobby's telling us."

Across the competition, Indigenous stars are leaning towards re-selection.

Adelaide are expecting Callum Ah Chee to return next week, while Maurice Rioli is 3-4 weeks away, from their respective hamstring injuries.

"We'd expect him to be available for managed minutes around the Dreamtime game," Richmond high performance manager Ben Serpell said of Rioli this week.

A serious corked hip could rule Liam Ryan out for the Saints this weekend, having gone to hospital for precautionary observations on Sunday night, while Isaac Keeler can expect to be fit within the fortnight, having carried his own hamstring concern.

Long-term stints on the sidelines will continue for Gold Coast's Jy Farrar, Melbourne's Shane McAdam, the Tigers' Rhyan Mansell and North's Robert Hansen Jr.

At Port, Sam Powell-Pepper is eyeing a mid-season return from a devastating ACL injury.