Collingwood Magpies star Bobby Hill will miss their round 24 game against Melbourne Demons, finals unlikely

“But he’s well aware that time’s running out for getting enough load and then to be available. I stepped straight back into love and care and said, ‘Nah, let’s just get him right day by day’.”

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Hill, who won the Norm Smith Medal in Collingwood’s 2023 premiership, has played just one senior game in the past two months. He was the sub in that game and only came on late.

Collingwood have struggled in attack with him out of the side. He was sorely missed in the three-point loss to Adelaide last week when the Magpies had 34 more inside 50s than Adelaide but were unable to kick a winning score. In such congestion, the loss of Hill’s speed and ability to find space to conjure a goal was telling.

Likewise, the Magpies’ defence has struggled as they have lost five of their past six matches during which Jeremy Howe missed all but the loss to Hawthorn, when he was knocked out in the opening two minutes. Howe is now through the concussion protocols and will return for Collingwood’s final home-and-away match of the season against Melbourne on Friday night.

“Howey will come back and his experience is important to us. I think he’ll play our system really well,” McRae said.

Collingwood’s tall forwards all had bad games against Adelaide on a night when they had 71 inside 50s, with Brody Mihocek dropping chest marks, Tim Membrey unable to find space, and Dan McStay unsighted. With McStay required as the second ruck, it has prompted the question of whether McRae goes back to veteran Mason Cox.

“We’re working hard with Dan to get him moving and be part of our best team,” McRae said.

“There’s a lot of work behind the scenes to work on his craft, jump at the ball well, and fit into our patterns.”

Meanwhile, veteran premiership player Will Hoskin-Elliott has announced his retirement as of the end of the season. Hoskin-Elliott, part of the 2023 Collingwood premiership team, was dropped for the Pies’ round 23 game against the Crows and has struggled this year.

The No.4 pick in the 2011 national draft has played 242 games – 52 of them for the Giants, who drafted him.

The utility has plugged holes as a running defender, forward and wingman. He has a strong overhead game, meaning he’s even been able to play as a third tall forward target.

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