Collingwood coach Craig McRae is optimistic that Bobby Hill will be fit for selection on King’s Birthday, despite the star small forward needing assistance off the field on Thursday. Hill injured his ankle towards the end of the session, causing a brief alarm at the AIA Centre. However, with four days remaining until Monday’s match against Melbourne, Hill is expected to be available and currently does not require a scan.
“He is fine, he just tweaked his ankle a little bit. We’ve got four days before our game so there is no concern there,” McRae stated during a press conference on Thursday.
The Magpies have faced significant injury challenges over the past two months, with 15 players on the injury list, including seven premiership players from last September and Dan McStay, who is nearing a return from a knee reconstruction.
Collingwood is set to welcome back Will Hoskin-Elliott for the traditional clash against the Demons after the utility missed the last two weeks with a hamstring strain. Reef McInnes is also available after passing concussion protocols earlier this week.
Veteran small forward Jamie Elliott returned to training on Thursday morning after being cleared to resume training earlier in the week. The 31-year-old has been out since the win over Carlton in round eight due to a vascular issue.
“There was some uncertainty about Jamie’s injury and we had to work through that, but we got some really good news during the week that the treatment he’d been using has been effective,” McRae said. “He is on the mend and completed his first running session today. We are hoping he is six to eight weeks away.”
Collingwood might also consider recalling Nathan Kreuger for the first time since round seven last year, after he kicked three goals in the VFL last weekend.
