Collingwood player Bobby Hill is going to play in a practice game against Geelong on Saturday to show that he is ready for the preliminary final.
The Magpies will have a preliminary final at the MCG in two weeks after winning against Adelaide by 24 points on Thursday night.
Hill, who won the Norm Smith medal for being the best player in Collingwood’s 2023 championship, has only played one AFL game since Round 15 because of personal issues.
The 25-year-old also has a paid appearance planned in Tasmania on Friday night, but it’s not clear if he will go.
However, he is confirmed to play in the practice match against the Cats on Saturday, as reported by 7NEWS reporter Xander McGuire.
“We’ll see what happens,” McRae said after Collingwood’s victory over the Crows with a score of 11.13 (79) to 8.7 (55).
“There’s no pressure on that.
“If he gets some time on the field, that would be great.
“I have said week after week, each step he takes is important, and we will just keep checking on that.
We still have hope for Bobby. ”
Key defender Jeremy Howe missed the qualifying final because he hurt his groin in the last regular season game.
This injury continues a rough patch for the 35-year-old, who has had to leave the field early in his last four AFL games.
“He heals well, he keeps telling me,” McRae said.
“He might have a chance to play. . . I’m not promising that, but we’ll keep an eye on it.”
When asked if they would be careful with Howe, McRae replied, “Not cautious, we like to take risks.
“He will play if he is ready. ”
Collingwood’s exciting win over the Crows was marked by impressive performances from several older players.
Steele Sidebottom, who is 34, was fantastic by scoring three goals, while 33-year-old Jamie Elliott scored four goals.
And 37-year-old Scott Pendlebury, in his 27th final, got 23 possessions even though he was closely watched early on by the Crows, which shows how much respect he has earned.
Collingwood stepped onto Adelaide Oval with a team that had 214 games of playoff experience altogether, compared to Adelaide’s 46, who last played in the playoffs in 2017.
McRae said it was “hard to say” how much their experience mattered in the game’s outcome.
“But we definitely talked about it because when you go into a game, you look for any advantages, and you think: ‘Yes, that matters’,” he said.
“Pendles tonight became the fourth player in history to play in the most finals. ”
