• Hill's new home
• Players' off-season diaries - part 2
• I love it here: Hamling

With the 2017 NAB AFL Trade Period in full swing, Bradley Hill has reflected on the deal that sent the then 23-year-old to Fremantle and set him on course for a career-best season.

Now 24, Hill is happily settled back in WA with his family – although he admitted that joining his brother at the same club has had a surprising downside.

“I feel like I have to do a lot more media as it’s always Stephen and I together!” joked Hill about the attention the pair receives.

“I‘m enjoying playing with him although obviously, we’re a little bit different…I’ve always wanted to come back and play footy with my brother and it was always on my list. 

Drafted by Hawthorn at no.33 in the 2011 National Draft , the three-time Premiership player arrived at Fremantle in 2016 with pick no.23 going to the Hawks. 

Despite being by his own description a “chilled sort of guy”, Hill admitted that the trade period is always an anxious time for any player. 

“I was speaking to my manager throughout last year (about) wanting to come back home,” Hill said.

“(During the trade period), you know you can’t really do too much, it’s sort of up to your managers and both footy clubs.

“I didn’t really have to do too much so it’s just sort of a waiting game.”

With the move, Hill joined the Fremantle playing group in their move to a new elite training and administration facility at Cockburn Central - the best the running midfielder “had ever seen.” 

But it was the playing group that excited Hill the most – especially arriving alongside his former state teammates. 

“It’s been awesome, I played under 18s alongside Joel (Hamling) and Kersto (Shane Kersten),” Hill said. 

“A lot of people wouldn’t know that in the 2011 draft we were pick 32, 33 and 34, so we all went one pick after each other. It was awesome coming back in and having those guys.”

With his 2017 Doig Medal win, Hill became the first Freo player to win the best and fairest in their first season at the club since Troy Cook in 2000. 

Hill played every game for Fremantle in 2017 and starred in many of Fremantle’s wins early in the season – highlighted by his spectacular running goal against Carlton in round nine. 

“I felt like I’ve had a pretty consistent year, probably one of my best since being in the AFL system,” Hill said. 

“I was pretty happy with the way I played. I want to keep on getting better and improve as the years go on.”