Collingwood forward Bobby Hill is inching closer to an AFL return after spending the past three weeks away from the club due to personal reasons.

Hill was last seen in Round 15 against St Kilda at Marvel Stadium, and has missed clashes against West Coast, Carlton and Gold Coast.

He was seen training on Saturday at the AIA Centre.

However, according to Tom Morris, the 2023 Norm Smith medallist is set to feature in Craig McRae's side "in the next week or two".

"He's been away for two or three weeks now for personal reasons," Morris said on SEN.

"He was back training over the weekend. He'd like to get back and play as soon as possible, and the club is giving him every chance to make sure he can be fit and ready to go.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MAY 08: Bobby Hill of the Magpies covers the ears of Lachie Schultz as the club song is sung after winning the round nine AFL match between Fremantle Dockers and Collingwood Magpies at Optus Stadium, on May 08, 2025, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MAY 08: Bobby Hill of the Magpies covers the ears of Lachie Schultz as the club song is sung after winning the round nine AFL match between Fremantle Dockers and Collingwood Magpies at Optus Stadium, on May 08, 2025, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

"There was some confidence he'd play on the weekend, but early last week they ruled him out. There's that same level of confidence now coming up.

"The problem with personal reasons is there are so many rumours that fly around, many of which are untrue.

"But there is a warm confidence that he'll be fit and ready to play mentally and emotionally in the next week or two, which is good news."

Hill has played 13 games in 2025, kicking 19 goals, and only going goalless once this year.

The 25-year-old's absence is compounded by the loss of Beau McCreery (hamstring), Jordan De Goey (Achilles/Concussion) and Billy Frampton (calf), while fellow small forward Lachie Schultz returned against Gold Coast.

The Pies are still six points clear on top of the AFL ladder, despite suffering their third loss of the year to the Suns.

 Sunday, July 20 
Fremantle WON BY 1 POINTS
MCG
COLL   
78
FT
79
   FRE

They will host Fremantle at the MCG on Sunday, and will play five of their remaining six contests at the home of football, with a trip to Adelaide to take on the Crows wedged in the run to September.