ELBOURNE, 2025: Bobby Hill, a forward for Collingwood who won the Norm Smith Medal in 2023, is going through a tough time in his personal life. The club and Hill’s support network have been keeping a close eye on his mental and emotional health since he broke up with his partner, Georgia Devlin.
The breakup, along with ongoing family problems and online harassment aimed at Devlin, has had a big impact on Hill’s performance on the field. Even though things have been hard, Collingwood coach Craig McRae and the rest of the team are still dedicated to helping Hill get back on his feet.
Originally Published on Auburn Times
Life, Work, and Family Early on
Hill first became known as a teenager when he played for the GWS Giants. He made his debut at 18. His long-term partner, Georgia Devlin, moved to Sydney to help him during his early AFL career and stayed with him through tough times, like Hill’s battle with testicular cancer in 2022, which he said made him a “stronger man.”
The couple has two kids together, and they often showed up at team celebrations with Hill. Hill has said that having his kids at games is like a “country footy game,” which shows how important family support is to him.
Breakup and Effect on Health
Hill and Devlin officially broke up in June 2025. Devlin went back to Western Australia with their kids, but Hill stayed in Melbourne. Friends and people who know Hill say that he has had times when he missed home, was emotionally stressed, and his mental health got worse, all of which affected his performance in the AFL.
Fans and the media are worried about Hill’s absence from recent games, including Round 24 against Melbourne, which shows how personal problems can affect professional performance.
Support from Georgia Devlin and Harassment Online
People have been trolling Devlin online, mostly because of Hill’s Indigenous background. She spoke out about the harassment on Instagram, defending her kids and saying:
- “My kids’ nationality has never been a problem for anyone and never will be.”
Even though things are bad, she has focused on keeping their kids safe and recently took them to New Zealand on a family trip.
Bobby Hill’s Problems and Recovery on the Field
Hill’s recent AFL season has been hard because of problems in his personal life. He has only played one senior game since Round 15, when he came on as a substitute in Round 21 against Brisbane. Even then, he didn’t play much because he still needed time to recover and get stable.
The staff at Collingwood have put Hill’s health ahead of his performance right now. Coach Craig McRae stressed how important it is to take care of your feelings:
- “Not much time left in the season… Let’s just check on him to make sure he’s okay.”
Brayden Maynard, the team’s vice-captain, talked about how they were still supporting each other:
- “We’re a better team with him on it… He has all the help he needs when he’s playing and getting up.”
Hill is back in training, and his social media posts make it seem like he is hopeful about returning to the AFL in the future.
Family Dynamics and Outside Stress
Family involvement has made things more difficult. Brad Hill, Hill’s cousin, tried to help the family talk to club officials, but this caused some short-term problems. Hill has also been dealing with online bullying aimed at Devlin, which shows how closely people watch AFL players in public.
Updates on Collingwood’s season and players
The team has had some problems, like losses that put their chances of finishing in the top four at risk, while Hill is recovering personally. Here are some other updates on players:
- Jeremy Howe is back after an injury.
- Brody Mihocek is allowed to play even though his toe hurts.
- Mason Cox and Daniel McStay might have to change their rosters.
Collingwood is still trying to find a balance between player health and team success.
Bobby Hill’s Next Steps – What to Expect
Bobby Hill’s story shows how hard it can be to balance personal problems with playing sports at a high level. Hill is working on getting his life back on track both on and off the field, with help from his teammates, coaches, and family.
Fans and the AFL community are keeping a close eye on Hill, hoping for his full recovery and return to top form.
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