Pies forward 'highly unlikely' to return for Dees clash

The Pies are set to be without Bobby Hill for their clash against the Demons

Bobby Hill kicks a goal during the R13 match between Collingwood and Melbourne at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on June 9, 2025. Picture: AFL Photos

NORM Smith medallist Bobby Hill is "highly unlikely" to play in Collingwood's crucial clash with Melbourne, says vice-captain Brayden Maynard.

And the defender says the Magpies need to focus on what they can do without their electric small forward.

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Hill has played just one half of AFL football of Collingwood's past eight games as he deals with personal issues.

He didn't train with his teammates on Monday and appears unlikely to be available for Friday night's game, when the Magpies have a top-four berth on the line.

"I don't think so. It's highly unlikely, but we'll have to wait and see," Maynard said.

"I didn't see him around the club today, but hopefully he's in sort of Wednesday and can get the ball rolling.

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"We are a lot better team with him, so hopefully he does turn up and get the ball rolling. It's an ongoing process, day-by-day process."

Maynard threw his support behind Hill while stressing Collingwood needed to focus its energy towards an approaching finals campaign.

"It's a day-to-day process with Bob," Maynard said.

"He knows that he's got our full support, and we believe that he will get the ball rolling with a few things that he's got going on.

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"We are a better team with him in it, and he knows that and we all know that.

"But at the same time we've got big things on the horizon, and we need to focus on what we can do, with all due respect, without Bob, if he's not turning up.

"But he knows that we're a much better team with him in it.

"So yeah, it'd be good to see him come in as often as he can, because we love him in our team when he's playing (and) up and going."

Bobby Hill celebrates a goal during Collingwood's clash against Melbourne in round 13, 2025. Picture: AFL Photos

Collingwood has licked its wounds after Saturday's three-point loss to ladder leader Adelaide, its third loss on the bounce.

Maynard was confident the Magpies were finding their feet again.

"There was a lot of stuff that we took out of it that was quite positive," he said.

"So our connection was back, our system was back, and we got back to just competing the way that we want to compete, so I'm looking forward to seeing what we can do this Friday.

"There's been a lot of chatter around our connection inside 50, so we've gone to work on that today, and we'll get to work on that this week.

"But we feel as a whole that our game's in pretty good stead to lead us going into this week and hopefully moving forward, so I think we'll be right."

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