what happened to bobby hill
Bobby Hill, the star forward for the Collingwood Magpies in the AFL, is currently taking an extended leave of absence to address ongoing personal challenges ahead of the 2026 season.
This follows a tough 2025 where he played sparingly after round 15, appearing in just one match amid similar issues, despite his stellar 2023 Norm Smith Medal win.
Recent Setback Details
Collingwood announced the decision on January 8, 2026, emphasizing support for Hill's wellbeing as pre-season ramps up for their opener against St Kilda.
Club executive Charlie Gardiner stated: > "We care for Bobby and his health and wellbeing remain the priority as he continues to work through his personal situation."
Hill, contracted until 2030, has been managing a hamstring strain alongside his tailored training but stepped away to prioritize recovery and personal matters.
2025 Struggles Recap
- Limited to one AFL game post-round 15 due to personal difficulties, missing finals push despite late VFL efforts.
- Brief trade rumors surfaced, but the West Australian star recommitted amid club support.
- Earlier hamstring woes kept him from full pre-season training last year.
Club Impact & Speculation
Hill's absence spotlights Collingwood's aging list (average 25.6 years, oldest in league), with potential retirements like Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom looming.
Experts like Cam Mooney worry about losing his 40+ goals/20 assists peak form, especially with Brody Mihocek's recent trade to Melbourne.
Forum chatter on Reddit speculates deeper issues but echoes club well-wishes, no confirmed return timeline yet.
Trending Forum Buzz
Recent threads highlight concern: one from August 2025 noted his training absence, while broader discussions mix sympathy with fears of a trade.
No wild gossip dominates—fans focus on his talent and hope for a strong comeback, aligning with light AFL forum vibes.
As of January 2026, updates remain sparse, but the club vows full backing for his eventual full-time return.
TL;DR: Bobby Hill's on personal leave from Collingwood due to ongoing issues, post a limited 2025; club prioritizes his health amid pre-season.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.