Heartbreak for Collingwood as injury-hit defender suffers season-ending injury amid Bobby Hill's shock return to footy
Collingwood defender Reef McInnes will miss the remainder of the 2026 season, after tearing his ACL in the VFL on Friday.
The 23-year-old had only just made his return to footy the week prior, after suffering the same shattering injury in 2025.
The Magpies played Essendon in the VFL on Friday, with McInnes helped from the ground after an incident.
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Reef McInnes of the Magpies in 2024. AFL Photos via Getty Images
The club only needed a few hours to confirm the significant injury, which was actually the opposite leg to 2025's torn ACL.
The 23rd pick in the 2020 draft, McInnes has played 23 games across his career, largely due to ongoing injuries.
Collingwood general manager of football Charlie Gardiner said it was a disappointing situation.
"Reef's injury is incredibly disappointing news, particularly given the commitment and hard work he has put in over the past 12 months to return from his right ACL," Gardiner told the club's website.
"He's an outstanding character and has shown enormous resilience and positivity to get back to playing. While this is undoubtedly a difficult setback, our entire program will be behind Reef every step of the way during his recovery."
McInnes last featured at AFL level in round two of the 2025 season.
In better news for the Pies, 2023 Norm Smith Medallist Bobby Hill got through limited minutes in his first outing of the season in the same game.
Hill hasn't played at AFL level since August of 2025, a game he was subbed off in early, and before that June.
The talented forward has been battling complicated personal issues, which carried over into 2026.
A report out of The Age in February revealed Collingwood was planning their 2026 season without him, given he had barely trained over summer.
Hill played out the first half in the VFL, kicking a goal, and getting much-needed run in the legs.
The 25-year-old was forced from the ground early after receiving a cut to his face requiring stitches.
He will likely need a lengthy stint in the VFL to prove his readiness to return at AFL-level.
