Bobby Hill is currently facing significant challenges as he looks to restart his paused AFL career.
The 2023 Norm Smith Medal recipient returned to Collingwood training on Thursday after a personal trip to Western Australia. This marks another disruption in his football journey.
Hill has participated in three VFL matches this year, with his last AFL appearance dating back to Round 22 of the previous season.
“I had an insightful conversation with Bobby this morning,” McRae shared. “He’s dealing with quite a bit at the moment. Let’s be clear about that. There’s a lot on his plate.”
“He’s a work in progress, but it’s reassuring to have him back with us,” McRae concluded.
Craig McRae admits Bobby Hill is ‘truthfully, battling’ as the Norm Smith medallist works through personal challenges
Hill returned to Collingwood training on Thursday after spending time in Western Australia for personal reasons
‘He’s a long way away from playing footy … but again, when he’s in our building, at least we get some opportunities to make him feel that he’s loved and appreciated.Â
‘That will never waver, and I’m chatting to him yesterday, having really deep conversations about this stuff.’
McRae said he wanted to be thought of as a father-figure to his players.
‘Regardless of whatever happens in life, there’s a level and care. These young men, in my eyes, are like my sons,’ he said.
He also confirmed Hill would not play at any level this weekend.
‘There’s a lot of work to be done before he plays,’ McRae said.
Brayden Maynard will not return this Saturday against Port Adelaide, despite the hard-nosed defender being keen to resume quickly from the dislocated shoulder he suffered in the King’s Birthday loss to Melbourne.
‘Reality set in that he probably has a bit more work to do on that shoulder,’ McRae said.
The Magpies forward has not played an AFL game since round 22 last season
‘It’s still a little bit unstable.
‘He’s a warrior, he wants to play most weeks. He said ‘don’t count me out for next week’, but we’ll see how that goes.’
Captain Darcy Moore also has returned from an overseas trip as he recovers from a hamstring injury. It remains unclear when he will play again, but McRae said the trip was ‘a massive gain’.
The Magpies are poised to make a massive offer for Brisbane star Lachie Neale, who is a free agent at the end of the season.
‘I’ve said openly that we want to be in the market for free agents. We’ll explore everyone who’s still available,’ McRae said.
‘We have to be progressive in the way we think about the game. We’ve created a free agency for a reason – it’s like going fishing in a small pond.’
McRae said recruiting a star such as Neale would immediately boost the Magpies.
‘There’s definitely an energy. When we bring Dan Houston and Harry Perryman in … the locker room gets excited,’ he said.
The coach remains ‘open-minded’ on whether veterans Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom and Jeremy Howe continue playing next season.
‘Ideally, we unveil a statue when he exits. He deserves that,’ McRae said of Pendlebury.
At the other end of the playing scale, 19-year-old midfielder Sam Swadling will make his AFL debut against Port.
He was recruited from WA with the No.37 pick in last year’s national draft.