So it is with a hint of irony that Hill truly announced his arrival in the game with a NAB AFL Rising Star nomination against the club he loved for most of his life.
Hill gathered 21 possessions for Fremantle in the win over the Eagles on Saturday, making him the sixth player to be nominated for the award this season.
Not surprisingly, Hill said he enjoyed being a part of his first ever western derby.
“The build-up is pretty big and the game was quite physical and intense. It was very enjoyable to play in,” Hill said.
“The Eagles fans were pretty loud and it was good to get a win over them”
He said it was a surreal feeling to be lining up against the blue and gold.
“It was a bit strange at first but I just kept focusing on the game. It was pretty good standing next to some of the blokes I grew up barracking for,” he said.
Hill has been one of Fremantle’s biggest positives in a season that was slow to get going.
While the scrutiny on the team has been intense, Hill says he could not have enjoyed the beginning of his AFL career any more.
“The club has been great. The coaching staff have been really helpful and the players have been welcoming,” he said
“It is a lot quicker than what I have been playing. It has been a bit tougher because I’m pretty lightly framed but it’s not too bad.”
Hill has played all six games for Fremantle this season after he was drafted with the club’s first selection (No.3 overall) at last year’s draft.
Early indications suggested Fremantle was going to choose fellow West Australian Daniel Rich over Hill, but an impressive draft camp and National Championships helped his cause.
“I thought I might be heading east but it was a bonus to be staying here in Perth and I’m very happy here at Freo,” Hill said.
Hill said he has not been worried about the inevitable comparisons with Rich, who was taken at pick seven by the Brisbane Lions and earned the NAB AFL Rising Star nomination in round one.
“He’s going really well with Brisbane. He is playing some really good footy,” Hill said
“I didn’t really read the paper and tried not to worry about that so much. I knew what was going on but I tried to keep it off my mind.”
