Collingwood Faces Heartbreak as Injured Defender’s Season Comes to an End Following Bobby Hill’s Unexpected Return to Football

Collingwood defender Reef McInnes is set to miss the entirety of the 2026 season following a torn ACL he sustained during the VFL on Friday.

The 23-year-old had only just made his return to the game the previous week after suffering the same devastating injury in 2025.

The Magpies faced Essendon in the VFL on Friday, where McInnes had to be assisted from the field following an incident.

The club took only a few hours to confirm the serious nature of the injury, which unfortunately affected the opposite knee to the one he injured in 2025.

Selected with the 23rd pick in the 2020 draft, McInnes has participated in 23 games throughout his career, primarily hindered by ongoing injuries.

Collingwood’s General Manager of Football, Charlie Gardiner, expressed his disappointment regarding the situation.

“Reef’s injury is incredibly disheartening, especially considering the commitment and hard work he has put in over the last year to bounce back from his right ACL,” Gardiner stated on the club’s website.

“He’s an exceptional character, showcasing remarkable resilience and positivity in his return to play. Although this is undoubtedly a tough setback, our entire program will support Reef in every step of his recovery.”

McInnes last played at the AFL level during round two of the 2025 season.

On a more positive note for the Pies, 2023 Norm Smith Medallist Bobby Hill managed to complete limited minutes in his first game of the season during the same match.

Hill hasn’t featured at AFL level since August 2025, when he was substituted early due to an injury, following a series of absences since June.

The talented forward has been dealing with complex personal challenges that have continued into 2026.

A report by The Age in February indicated that Collingwood was preparing for the 2026 season without him, given he had barely trained over the summer.

Hill played the first half of the VFL match, scoring a goal and gaining some much-needed fitness.

However, he was forced to leave the game early after sustaining a cut to his face that required stitches.

It appears he will need an extended period in the VFL to demonstrate his readiness for a return to AFL action.