Bobby Hill and Collingwood part ways as player takes break amid racist abuse
Collingwood Football Club and Norm Smith Medallist Bobby Hill have mutually agreed to end their contract. Hill, who was due a four‑year extension worth about AUD 750,000 per year, will leave as a delisted free agent and has said he will “take a break from football to keep working on myself and regain my passion for the game.” He cited a vile racist Instagram message received from a fan as a factor in the decision. Hill played 61 games for the Magpies, including the 2023 premiership, and earned the Norm Smith Medal for his performance in the Grand Final.
Ahead of Collingwood’s Round 21 clash with Geelong at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, coach Craig McRae noted the team’s improved form, driven by midfielder Nick Daicos, and warned that Geelong will be without key forwards Jeremy Cameron, Patrick Dangerfield and defender Max Holmes through injury. Collingwood will also be missing defender Brayden Maynard with a knee problem. Both clubs sit mid‑table, each with 11 wins heading into the match.
The club’s executive general manager of football, Charlie Gardiner, said the decision was taken after a year of “personal matters” and a lack of consistent commitment from Hill, and the club affirmed its support for him during the transition.
Entities: Australian Football League · Bobby Hill · Charlie Gardiner · Colling Collingwood Football Club · Collingwood Football Club · Craig McRae · Geelong Cats · Geelong Football Club · Jeremy Cameron · Melbourne Cricket Ground · Nick Daicos · North Queensland Cowboys
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Collingwood and Geelong will play a match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Thursday night. (existing)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Geelong recorded back‑to‑back victories over St Kild a and Melbourne. (existing)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Collingwood has won its last six games. (existing)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Geelong is missing forward Jeremy Cameron, veteran Patrick Dangerfield and defender Max Holmes due to injury. (existing)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Nick Daicos has been a major contributor to Collingwood's recent form. (existing)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Collingwood has not conceded 100 points in any game since the defeat to Geelong. (existing)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Collingwood sits eighth on the AFL ladder, while Geelong is ninth. (existing)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Collingwood lost to Geelong by 54 points in their previous encounter. (existing)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Jeremy Cameron, Patrick Dangerfield and Max Holmes will miss the match for Geelong.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Both Collingwood and Geelong have recorded 11 wins this season.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Collingwood will host Geelong at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Thursday night. (026287a1-4c90-44a4-b129-0420701b1a7d)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Brayden Maynard will miss the match for Collingwood due to a knee injury.