Bradley Hill’s second season at AFL level probably exceeded most people’s expectations, including his own.
After playing just five games in his debut season, Hill featured in all but one match in 2013 (the Round 8 win over GWS), including the finals series.
When Clinton Young departed the Club for Collingwood at the end of last year, many expected Hill to step up and fill the void given he’s a natural wingman with his pace and gifted aerobic capacity.
But while many expected Hill to be given more senior opportunities by Coach Alastair Clarkson, perhaps few, including the man himself would have predicted just how impressive his second season would be.
There would be no second-year blues for the youngster from Perth.
He played 24 of a possible 25 matches and averaged 16.1 disposals, 3 marks and 2.1 tackles.
He started the season in electrifying fashion, with a dominant opening quarter against Geelong in which he was the leading disposal getter and his run and carry left many in awe. But, as eager as he was to have an impact, he ran out of gas just before half time and finished the game with 14 disposals.
It was a learning curve for the youngster who took it in his stride and used the experience to improve his football over the course of the year and pace himself for the long season.
He was prominent in Round 5 against the Kangaroos with 21 disposals and brilliant in the Round 6 victory over Adelaide with 17 touches and two goals – a performance that would earn him a nomination for the NAB AFL Rising Star award.
His run and carry proved critical to Hawthorn’s success throughout the season and his ability to team-up with fellow speedster Isaac Smith added a new dimension to Hawthorn’s style of play.
Their outside run enabled the team to move the ball quickly in transition and hurt teams on the counterattack, both reasons why Hill and Smith emerged as crucial components of the 2013 Premiership win.
Hill had 20 and 21 disposals against Gold Coast and Melbourne in Rounds 9 and 10 before his season really began to take off at the midway point, with 18, 21, 24 and 22 disposals against Geelong, Port Adelaide, Western Bulldogs and Essendon between Rounds 15 and 18.
His strong and consistent performances throughout the year provided him with the confidence he needed to attack his first finals series and in fact, be one of Hawthorn’s best across the three games.
A confident young man off the field, Hill played with composure beyond his years, never once overawed by the occasion of a big final.
Twice he kicked crucial goals in the finals - and his snap in the final quarter of the tense Preliminary Final win would arguably best personify his year – never faltering under pressure.
He was the beneficiary of the great pressure of teammates Shaun Burgoyne and Cyril Rioli, as he swooped and snapped a critical goal to bring the Hawks within striking distance.
But while that goal may have marked his arrival at AFL level, he’ll always remember his last quarter goal in the Grand Final where his hard, gut running took him to the goal square where he gathered a loose ball and kicked Hawthorn to Premiership glory.
He averaged 16.6 disposals across the three finals and kicked a goal in each (he kicked two against the Cats), performances that will give him confidence heading into his third year at the level.
Hawthorn knows they have a quality player on their hands and fans will enjoy the smooth running and skills of Hill until at least the end of 2015, after he signed a contract extension with the Club in September.
He has a huge amount of upside and with another pre-season under his belt heading into 2014, Hawthorn can expect big things from Bradley Hill whose challenge is to maintain and then improve his high level of performance in 2014.
What Chris Fagan said: “Hilly managed to play almost every game in his second year, which is a pretty special effort.
“He helps us so much with his endurance, his ability to run up and down the ground and he often tops off his work with good disposal and can also run into the open goal, which is outstanding.
“It was a great effort to in his second year be a premiership player.”
Hill in the news in 2013
- Contract extension: Hill wants to be a Hawk for life
- Hill excited by Rising Star nomination
Videos featuring Hill in 2013
- Grand Final: Hill seals the win
- Hill brothers to square off in Grand Final
- Hill speaks about making a Grand Final
