Collingwood Magpies star Bobby Hill granted a leave of absence from the club he won a Norm Smith Medal and 2023 premiership at

In August, Hill asked coach Craig McRae not to put a line through him returning for their ’25 campaign.

The coach met with his popular small forward, who had barely trained or played as he battled personal and family issues.

Collingwood struggled in attack with him out of the side. He was sorely missed in a three-point loss to Adelaide when the Magpies had 34 more inside 50s than the Crows 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.

There was a brief run of trade speculation after the season, before Collingwood list boss Justin Leppitsch reiterated Hill’s commitment to the Magpies during the trade period.

West Australian product Hill, one of the most dynamic forwards in the competition, is contracted until 2030.

“He’s at the club [next year]. Bobby’s staying at the club,” Leppitsch said in October.

AAP, with Michael Gleeson