“Love and care”: McRae addresses impending Hill exit

Collingwood coach Craig McRae admits the impending exit of Bobby Hill is emotional for all involved.

The Magpies will look to part ways with the 2023 Norm Smith Medal winner who has not played at AFL level since August last year.

McRae spoke to the media on Tuesday ahead of his side's trip to Adelaide for Thursday night's Round 20 opener against the Crows.

"There is an emotion attached to it, there is, absolutely," McRae told reporters.

"There's the playing part, the high performance of what he's capable of doing for our team and for our supporter base, and then there's the other personal part.

"You know he is a father - I'm getting emotional thinking about it - I think of that young man with three kids. You want the best for all our players to come into our environment and be good humans and be a good father and a good husband; those things that we're trying to instil. But environments change and shift, but lots of love and care for Bobby.

"He's a premiership player and Norm Smith Medallist and will forever be welcomed inside our four walls for the future.

"We want to make sure that we love this guy for the rest of our lives."

McRae has not been involved in the discussions surrounding Hill's inevitable departure from the club, having joined from GWS in late 2022.

"I haven't seen Bobby in the building for a while, which is always something as a coach you hope the young lad's going OK. Bobby, we've got a lot of love and care for you and still do and that will never change, never waver in our love and support for the young man," he said.

"The other part is completely out of my hands. I've not been privy to any conversations like that around management or anything like that, so I'll leave others to others to do those things. But I'll just try to provide a platform where people feel safe and a sense of belonging that we ought to be doing. We won't waver in our love and support for this young man."

He was asked if the door will remain open for Hill in the future.

"You're going to need your swipe card, but yes," he said.

"This is an interesting place with where it's at. I won't make any more comment other than we'll forever love him,"

The Pies and Hill’s management - Anthony McConville of Mac's Sports Promotions - have begun talks on finalising his departure from the club, as reported by Seven’s Mitch Cleary.

Hill is currently contracted until the end of the 2030 season on a deal worth reportedly $750,000 a year.

The Western Australian has spent time away from the club on personal leave throughout 2026, making occasional returns to Collingwood, where he has featured in three VFL games this campaign.

With Hill’s time at Collingwood looking all but over, it’s believed the small forward is hoping to continue his career at another club.

Cleary is reporting that the 26-year-old has expressed a desire to those close to him about playing for a Queensland-based club, while he’s also been linked to Port Adelaide.

Hill has played 102 games of AFL football, with 41 of those coming for GWS before joining Collingwood ahead of the 2023 season.

He has played just seven games at the top level since inking the contract extension, which still has five years remaining on it.