EXCITING Hawthorn wingman Bradley Hill says his 50^th career game has come much quicker than expected.

Drafted by the Hawks with pick 33 in the 2011 National Draft, it has taken Hill, originally from Perth, just three years to reach the milestone.

He has achieved much in his short career, having already played in a premiership with Hawthorn last year and now in the middle of his second finals campaign.

It’s surreal no doubt; particularly given he never seriously considered an AFL career until he was 17.

For the most part, Hill just loved playing footy.

“It feels like I just started playing footy not too long ago and I’ve already got 50 games,” the young Hawk told hawthornfc.com.au ahead of Saturday’s Preliminary Final.

“Most boys when they’re 17 are getting ready to play AFL if they’re good enough - I was just enjoying my footy but sought of struggled to make it into the West Perth side in my first year.

“I didn’t really think about it too much until I went to (AFL) draft camp and went alright. Then thought I was a little bit of a chance to get picked up.”

He shot up the draft order by breaking the beep test record at the combine and before long, everyone knew the name Bradley Hill.

North Melbourne showed the most interest but the dialogue he’d had with recruiters painted a much different story to what would transpire at Hawthorn when they swooped.

“I actually remember having a recruiter come to my house from the Kangaroos and saying ‘we think you’ll be an alright player but you probably won’t play footy for the first two or three years’,” he recalled.

“I look back now and I’ve been lucky enough to play in a grand final and now I’m playing my 50^th game.”

It’s fitting the speedster will achieve the milestone in the biggest game of the Hawthorn’s season to date, given he has already established himself as a big game player.

Hill has produced some of his best football in high-pressure finals, most notably his performances in last year’s Preliminary and Grand Finals.

He’s not once been overawed by an occasion, a handy asset given he’s already played in four finals in three seasons and about to play in another on Saturday.

But there’s no secret behind the laid back Hawk’s ability to stay calm under pressure, that’s just Bradley Hill.

“I’ve been lucky enough to play some alright footy in finals and hopefully I can keep it up for the game this week,” he said.

“I just be myself. I probably don’t think about it, especially the day of the game.

“I’m a pretty relaxed person. I try to take it as a normal game.

“If it’s a night game I’ll normally just sit at home the whole day and not think about it. Then when it gets closer I’ll watch some highlights a couple of hours before I leave, and then I’m in the zone.”

At just 21 years of age and in just his third season, Hill will play his 50^th game with a man who has taken a much different path.

Popular teammate Matt Spangher will also reach game 50 on Saturday after nine seasons and stints at three different clubs.

The irony of Hill’s remarkably quick milestone hasn’t been lost.

“I’m pretty lucky to play 50 games in my third season,” he said.

“Matty Spangher said something to me the other day, he said he’s been playing for I think eight years and we’re playing our 50^th game together.

“We had a little bit of a laugh so it’s pretty funny.”

But really, the milestone while impressive will be the furthest thing from the young Hawk’s mind when he takes to the field on Saturday against Port Adelaide at the MCG.

He wants to play in another grand final, he’s hungry for more success.

“I’m not really going to be thinking about the 50^th game too much - actually I forgot about it until this interview,” he laughed.

“I’m just looking forward just to be playing in a prelim final, hopefully we can go on from there.

“It would be an unreal feeling if we could get (there) again, playing in two grand finals in my first two proper seasons of AFL footy would be unreal.

“Some people play 300 games and don’t get the chance to play in a grand final so I’m very lucky.”