Collingwood coach Craig McRae has responded to rumours that the club is finalising Bobby Hill's exit.
Asked several questions about Hill, McRae indicated he was unaware of such conversations and emphasised the “love and care” the club had for the 2023 Norm Smith Medalist and premiership player.
“There's a lot in that question. I haven't seen Bobby in the building for a while which is always something as a coach (which makes you go) ‘I hope the young lad's okay,” McRae said on Tuesday.
“We've got a lot of love and care for you Bobby, and still do that never changes or waivers in our love and support for the young man.
“The other part is completely out of my hands. I'm not privy to any conversations like that around management and other things so I leave others to do those things.
“We just try to provide a platform where Bobby feels safe and a sense of belonging."
Hill played the last of his three VFL games this season in early May, and McRae admitted the dialogue had dried up.
“It's a while now (since we've spoken) but I hope he's going okay,” McRae said.
“I've spoken openly here before about some things happening in his life so I'll leave that for where it needs to be but we wont waiver in our love and support for the young man.
“We're always trying to remain connected and sometimes are harder than other times.
“He's a premiership player and a Norm Smith Medallist, he'll forever be welcome in our four walls whatever that looks like in the future.”
“There is an emotion attached to it. There's a playing part, high performance, what he's capable of doing for our team and our supporter base and the personal part as a father. We want the best for all our players to come into our environment and be good humans and a good father so those things we're trying to instil but environments change and shift so lots of love and care
McRae added that Jeremy Howe was “fit and available” to return on Thursday against Adelaide after being managed last week to ensure he could play against Adelaide given the five-day break.
He also indicated Scott Pendlebury was likely to play at this stage despite often being rested off five-day breaks in the past. He played 64 per cent of the game against Carlton, the second least of any Pie.
“I'd say yes at the moment and I'm true to my word mostly. We haven't had match committee yet but the sums don't quite add up. ‘Howey' is back so someone has to go out,” McRae said.
“Lots of good form and players deserving to keep their spots. It will be interesting the way it falls. I anticipate that ‘Pendles' will play. That's probably where it's going to land.”
