Bobby Hill: Collingwood star ruled out of making return for Magpies’ preliminary final clash with Brisbane

Bobby Hill won’t earn a sensational Collingwood recall for Saturday’s preliminary final, with Magpies coach Craig McRae ruling out the Norm Smith medallist.

Hill has played just one match since June - a cameo appearance as the substitute in round 21 - amid challenging personal circumstances.

The silky forward trained with teammates on Thursday morning as he pushes for a return, but McRae dismissed the prospect of Hill being named against Brisbane.

Hill starred in his most recent finals match in 2023, crowned the Norm Smith winner for a brilliant four-goal display in the grand final win over this week’s opponent in the Lions.

Fellow premiership forward Brody Mihocek has been cleared to line up on Saturday after being subbed out of Collingwood’s qualifying final injury with a foot issue, while key defender Jeremy Howe trained fully on Thursday as he states his case for a recall following an adductor injury.

Howe has been subbed out of his past four games for the Pies with a string of issues, dating back to the round 17 win over Carlton.

More to come