Bobby Hill back in the fold as Pies look to recall trio for Dockers clash

Collingwood expect to regain three important players for their clash with Fremantle, but will assess gun small forward Bobby Hill’s readiness to play later this week if he continues to train.

The Magpies confirmed on Monday that Beau McCreery was expected to be available for selection against the Dockers, and that they would regain key forward Brody Mihocek and midfielder Patrick Lipinski, with Billy Frampton described as “an outside chance” to play the Dockers on Sunday.

Hill trained at the weekend, having been unavailable for personal reasons – and with illness last week – and is expected to continue training this week, according to a club source who spoke anonymously.

The Magpies will continue to assess the small forward’s fitness, given that Hill has missed a number of training sessions, including those due to illness, before making a call on whether he is ready to play. The club has treated Hill as a day-to-day proposition and won’t rush him back into the team.

Collingwood has supported Hill over recent weeks as he deals with personal issues, the 2023 Norm Smith medallist having missed the past three games and four of the past seven matches. He recently signed a four-year contract extension.

Aside from the uncertainty over Hill, McCreery’s return from a hamstring would mean Collingwood has most of their starting forwards available to play the Dockers. Lachie Schultz performed well against the Suns on Friday after recovering from a hamstring injury.

Mihocek, 32, and Lipinski, were “managed” and did not play against the Suns but will be available this weekend.

Veteran defender Jeremy Howe will miss one or two games with a groin injury that saw him subbed out against the Suns from half-time. Howe’s absence would be alleviated if Frampton, who has resumed training following a calf problem, was able to get up for the Dockers.