Collingwood's Norm Smith Medallist Bobby Hill has returned to training on Wednesday in a positive step towards his AFL return.
Hill joined teammates at the Pies in the lead-up to the club's King's Birthday Day clash against Melbourne at the MCG.
The gun small forward continues to work his way back from the personal issues that ruled him out of the football program on Olympic Boulevard for much of the pre-season as well as the birth of his third child in recent weeks.
Hill began playing VFL football before the arrival of his third child, featuring in three outings largely on managed minutes.
He hasn't played in the AFL since Round 21 last season, and spent time away from the club during the second-half of the year.
Hill was with the VFL squad last week.
Collingwood has refused to put a timeline on his return but remain buoyant on his potential.
Teammate Lachie Schultz said a few weeks ago that he'd seen a "shift" in Hill.
"I've definitely seen a big shift in his fitness and as he continues to put more minutes together in the VFL, we'll see Bobby (at AFL level) at some stage," Schultz said.
"He's a very special player in our forward half and someone that knows how to hit the scoreboard. We're seeing that in the VFL so far - he hasn't lost any of that. He's kicking goals and he's got his 'Bobby shine'. He'll obviously be a big help to our forward line, but it's also a team process and something that we're working on.
"We look forward to working on that this week, and hopefully improving it."
Hill is contracted until the end of 2030.
