Collingwood "not naïve" about Bobby Hill's return

Bobby Hill has returned to Collingwood fitter than anyone expected and is taking "big strides".

But coach Craig McRae refuses to put a firm date on his return to footy.

Last week, Hill walked back through the doors at Magpies HQ for the first time in months in another significant step towards a return to the game.

The 2023 Norm Smith medallist, on indefinite leave since early January, reunited with teammates, coaches and staff at the KGM Centre.

The reunion was not about training, but reconnecting with the club on his path back to football.

This weekend he was at the club's VFL game against the Giants but did not take part.

McRae was asked about his progress and re-integration at the club on SEN's Crunch Time.

"I don’t want to put a time on his return," McRae said. "It puts pressure on him and others.

"He is working on himself enormously. He did about 10kms yesterday which is big numbers. We have a plan and we will see if it plays out.

"Bobby comes to hand quickly and I am surprised at how fit he is physically compared to where we thought he was. It’s all one step at a time but there are big strides being taken.

"I'm really happy for Bobby he is doing a tonne of work on himself but were not naïve, we know there's more to be done."

McRae joined the Crunch Time team the morning after his side's 87-54 victory over GWS.

Nick Daicos dazzled in in the statement win collecting 36 disposals, 12 inside 50s, seven score involvements, six clearances, five tackles, and two goals – superb numbers.

When looking at Collingwood’s performance itself, the Pies ball movement was excellent, allowing them to expose the undermanned Giants outfit.

However, the incredible showing wasn’t without some injuries for the Pies.

Skipper Darcy Moore and veteran Scott Pendlebury are both expected to miss next week’s Easter Thursday clash against Brisbane but McRae insists the latter was set to sit out the trip.

"Maybe (Pendles will miss one) I haven’t had a medical report," he continued.

"I am yet to hear anything and I would like to think so. We are risk takers and we want to continue to be risk takers but with Pendles we don’t,

"The plan all along was that he wasn’t going to pay next week and ideally it’s not more than that."

The week off will push back the date on Pendlebury breaking the AFL's all-time games record.

But it is not something that is playing on McRae's mind.

"Everyone is forecasting when the record will be I don’t get caught up in that," he said. "I like the romantic nature of it. I can't think of anything better than to just be part of it and celebrate Pendles.

"What a privilege. We will sit back one day and think ‘we coached Scott Pendlebury when he did this’. Lets celebrate it, things go so fast. You blink and it’s done.

"I want to celebrate Pendles, I love to think we could unveil a statue and all the things you do for the greats. He is a remarkable person."