Collingwood coach Craig McRae has downplayed concerns about 2023 Norm Smith Medal winner Bobby Hill, who suffered an ankle injury during Thursday’s training session. Hill’s injury adds to the team’s growing casualty list, which now includes 13 players, though Hill is not yet on it. Key players such as Jordan De Goey, veteran Scott Pendlebury, Jamie Elliott, and Brody Mihocek are still sidelined. However, McRae stated that Hill’s ankle tweak, which happened near the end of training, isn’t causing any significant worry within the club.
“He is fine, he just tweaked his ankle a little bit,” McRae said on Thursday. “We’ve got four days before our game, so there is no concern there.”
Hill has not been sent for scans, and it is hoped he will be fit to face Melbourne on Monday in their King’s Birthday clash.
McRae also addressed concerns about Jamie Elliott’s return from a vascular issue. There were earlier fears that Elliott could miss the rest of the 2024 season, but McRae indicated that the goal is for Elliott to return for the finals.
“There was some uncertainty around Jamie’s injury timeframe, but we got some really good news during the week that his treatment has been working,” McRae said.
In more positive news, Elliott was running on Thursday as he works on regaining his fitness. “He is on the mend and did his first running session,” McRae added. “We are hoping he is six to eight weeks away.”
The Pies and Demons are both coming off disappointing round 12 losses, currently sitting in ninth and 10th on the ladder, respectively.
