With the 2012 season over, now is as good a time as any to review the seasons of each player to represent Hawthorn on hawthornfc.com.au at 9am each day.
In just his first season of AFL football, Bradley Hill managed to excite Hawthorn fans with his electric speed and clean skills in just five matches for the Hawks.
Hill earned his debut in the Club’s Round 4 clash against West Coast in Perth, given the opportunity to play his first match in his hometown.
He was given the green vest as the Hawks’ substitute player in his first four matches, with Coach Alastair Clarkson deciding to ease the youngster into games.
Hill immediately stole the hearts of supporters of the brown and gold, but when he gathered 11 disposals in just one quarter of football two weeks in a row, fans were hooked.
After only being able to showcase his silky skills, clean hands and pace in the final term of matches, Hill was finally given a full game by Clarkson, in the Round 15 win over Greater Western Sydney at the MCG.
In that game, Hill gathered 17 disposals and showed glimpses of the player he could become in the not too distant future for the Hawks - a hard running, speedy wingman with clean skills and excellent disposal by foot.
The 19 year old developed well throughout the season at VFL level, playing with the Club’s VFL affiliate Box Hill for most of the season.
Hill played the majority of matches on the wing, providing great speed and precise delivery to forwards.
A good performance in the team’s final match of the season, a Semi-Final loss to eventual VFL premiers Geelong showed the Hawks have selected a player capable of withstanding pressure.
In that game, Hill gathered 17 disposals, two goals and was damaging with ball in hand, proving to be one of Box Hill’s most dangerous attacking players.
Another season highlight was his ability to break the lines at crucial stages of Box Hill’s Round 20 loss to Port Melbourne. Box Hill fell four goals behind at the first change, and trailed by 15 points at half time, but it was Hill’s speed and ability to find teammates despite the pressure enabled the Hawks to get back into the game.
He finished with 18 possessions and seven marks.
Hill also showed too, that he is willing to get his hands dirty as well as adding to his highlight reel, when he laid seven tackles in Box Hill’s Round 18 loss to Werribee.
Taken at number 33 in the 2011 National Draft, Hill is an elite athlete who will look to hit the gym in the off-season, to bulk up ahead of the 2013 season.
With wingman Clinton Young departing the Hawks, a spot could open up for the speedster, if he can impress coaches with his development and training on the track in the pre-season.
| GA | K | H | D | DE% | CP | UP | M | CL | T | I50 | G | PCM | |
| 2012 averages | 5 | 7.2 | 2.8 | 10 | 66 | 2.6 | 7.4 | 1.8 | 0 | 0.6 | 2.4 | 0.6 | 8 |
The green vest was Hill's second home, playing as the sub in three of his five matches.
Hill in the news in 2012
Q&A with Bradley HillHow did you rate Hill's debut season? Leave your comment below.
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2012 Player Reviews Box Hill match reports
