Collingwood’s Bobby Hill ruled out of preliminary final amid personal turmoil; potential Grand Final return kept alive

Bobby Hill will not play in Collingwood’s AFL preliminary final against the Brisbane Lions, with coach Craig McRae announcing the small forward is unavailable for Saturday’s game. Hill has appeared in just one AFL match in the last three months, and his absence comes as the Magpies navigate a period of personal upheaval for the 2023 Norm Smith Medallist. Earlier this year, Hill and long-time partner Georgia Devlin, mother of his two sons, reportedly split, a development that has been publicly acknowledged by media outlets and followed by the player’s camp and fans alike. The Daily Mail Australia first reported the split in July, and the Australian Associated Press has since noted Hill’s absence from on-field duties has coincided with the broader impact of personal matters off the field. Devlin is said to be living in Perth with the couple’s children, Bobby Junior and Malakai, a detail that has shaped the public narrative around Hill’s season as he attempted to balance elite sport with personal challenges.

The decision to omit Hill, McRae said, was made after careful consideration of a number of factors related to Hill’s preparation and the team’s needs for the week. “Bobby won’t play this weekend,” the coach said bluntly as Collingwood fine-tuned preparations for the twilight clash at the MCG. “It was really difficult – I told him before training... it was a conversation that was hard for him to hear, but it was a reality of right now with his preparation. Credit to him he trained really, really well which shows how far he’s come in the last little period. He’s working hard to get back and this is not permanent, but this week he’s not available.” McRae stressed that the call was not a reflection on the player’s character or long-term viability, but a decision anchored in the present state of Hill’s readiness and the team’s tactical needs. “There may be a world where that could be true,” he added, leaving open the possibility of a Grand Final appearance if Collingwood progresses.

McRae confirmed Brody Mihocek will participate in the lineup after the forward was cleared to play, noting that the decision to select him was straightforward compared with Hill’s situation. “It’s hard to keep him out of the team, even the training track, he’s out there training really well this week and he’s fit and well,” the coach said of Mihocek, who has been battling a toe issue. The Magpies will rely on Mihocek’s experience and size to counter Brisbane’s defense as they chase a place in the championship game.

Meanwhile, attention remains on veteran defender Jeremy Howe, who has been unable to play a full game since Round 16 due to an adductor problem. Howe’s fate for the preliminary final will be decided after the match committee reviews high-performance metrics to assess his readiness. “Howe’s fate will be decided after the match committee view some high-performance figures to assess where the defender is at,” McRae said, signaling that Howe could be involved if his load and condition meet the coaching staff’s threshold. The team will learn more about Howe’s status in the hours leading up to the clash as the medical staff provide the latest updates.

The public narrative surrounding Hill’s personal life has intensified in recent weeks, with Devlin breaking a period of silence on social media and addressing online trolling from some supporters. Reports have indicated Devlin has taken the boys and relocated to Perth, a development that has added emotional complexity to Hill’s season as he attempts to balance football commitments with family matters. McRae acknowledged the broader human side of the situation without dwelling on it, emphasizing the need for players to stay focused on preparation and performance. He described Hill’s training and progress as encouraging, even as the club makes choices that may hinge on short-term readiness rather than long-term potential.

The football implications are significant for Collingwood as they chase a place in the AFL Grand Final. If the Magpies defeat Brisbane, Hill’s name will again surface in discussions about the club’s best 22 for the ultimate game of the season, though McRae refrained from making any promises about a possible return this week. “There may be a world where that could be true,” he reiterated, signaling that Hill remains in the club’s long-term plans and could be a factor in a potential premiership tilt if he continues to progress and is deemed match-ready by game day. For now, Collingwood will rely on its other forwards, midfield engines, and ruck support to execute the plan that has carried them to the brink of a second straight grand final appearance.

Beyond the immediate weekend, the club’s medical and coaching staff will continue to monitor Hill’s conditioning, with the aim of maximizing his availability for the most consequential games of the season while ensuring he remains healthy in the long run. The public and media speculation surrounding Hill’s personal life will likely recede if the team can deliver wins, but the broader narrative will remain a part of the season’s off-field storylines as Collingwood navigates both the sport’s demands and the human elements that accompany elite athletes.