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Bobby Hill situation escalates as family and friends ‘really worried’

The Collingwood forward has fallen out with close family and there is now serious concern for his welfare.

Bobby Hill situation escalates as family and friends ‘really worried’

The Collingwood forward has fallen out with close family and there is now serious concern for his welfare.

There is serious concern growing around embattled Collingwood forward Bobby Hill.

The 2023 Norm Smith medallist has played just one game at AFL level since Round 15 as he continues to work through personal issues away from the club.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Concern growing around Bobby Hill.

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After a five-week absence, he made his return against Brisbane in Round 21, but was out again the following week, with the club citing illness as the reason.

Speaking after Collingwood’s loss to Adelaide on Saturday night, Magpies coach Craig McRae denied reports Hill had been planning on flying over to South Australia with the team despite not being in the squad to play.

But Caroline Wilson revealed on Monday night that in fact he had planned on going with the team, and that there are now significant concerns around the 25-year-old father’s welfare.

“I think Bobby Hill was planning to go to Adelaide, I can’t tell you exactly what happened that stopped him from going to Adelaide,” she told The Agenda Setters.

“I do know that his family is really worried about him, his friends are really worried about him.

“Now, we know he had a marriage issue. And then it became about about his fitness.”

Bobby Hill is unlikely to play in Collingwood's crunch match against Melbourne this weekend. Credit: AAP
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Wilson says St Kilda veteran Bradley Hill, who is Bobby’s cousin, tried to reach out and help, but it has resulted in a falling out between the two sections of the family.

“One person he’s always been really close to is his cousin, Brad Hill; I understand there’s been a falling out there between the two families. Partly, I think, because Brad Hill attempted to perform some form of intervention, and actually reached out to the Collingwood Football Club, he was so worried about his cousin,” she said.

“I don’t think that went down too well with Bobby Hill.

“And I think that there’s been days where he’s just been uncontactable by anyone. Days leading to even a week at some point.

“I mean, talk about fitness, talk about family and the personal issues, but I think it’s getting a bit more serious than that, and I think people are really worried about Bobby Hill’s welfare.

“Taking the football aside, because Collingwood badly need him and they need him playing well, this is far more serious than that now and I hope the right people are intervening.

“I’m not blaming Collingwood for this but it’s a bit of a disaster, both football and personal-wise.”

Craig Hutchison added: “Life is far bigger than footy in these situations.”

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At his post-match presser on Saturday, McRae said the situation is a work in progress.

“Bobby’s getting better every day,” McRae said after Collingwood lost to the Crows by just three points.

“Not sure if he’s available next week but it’s pleasing to have him back this week training hard for us.”

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