The return of star midfielder Stephen Hill against Port Adelaide at Optus Stadium is set to give Fremantle a major boost for the second half of the season, according to teammate Michael Walters. 

Walters said it was crucial to add a player of Hill’s calibre to a young team, saying Hill could deliver consistently at high level and draw on his 203 games of experience. 

“It’s been a long time coming for him. We know what sort of trainer he is and we know that he’s coming in this week and he’s going to be ready,” Walters said.

“It adds so much, that confidence. Just him being out there, he’s played more than 200 games now and each game, we know what we’re going to get when we walk down the race with him.” 

Hill’s return to football comes after more than 10 months on the sidelines.

Walters said that he didn’t see the need for Hill to return to football via the WAFL.

“He’s shown over a long period of time training and rehabbing, and we know that the coaches and the fitness staff wouldn’t bring someone in unless they know they’re ready,” Walters said. 

“His GPS numbers stack up over the period of time he was in rehab and I’m just excited to see him back out there.” 

Saturday’s clash is the Kids Day Out at Optus Stadium. When you purchase one level five Adult GA ticket through Ticketmaster you can get up to four free junior tickets.

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Hill has played a variety of roles in his career, including on the wing, in the middle and at half back – where the 29-year-old played most of his 13 games in 2018.

Walters said that the addition of Hill gives Freo a number of options. 

“He’s one of those players who is pretty durable, you can play him at half back, on the wing and also in the middle as well,” Walters said.

“He can run flips and changes throughout the game which could also see me put be in the forward line as well.

“It’s going to be exciting, especially with guys like Jesse Hogan as well. If you make those leads you know Stephen Hill will hit you on the chest.

“To have someone with that sort of foot skill, but also the footy nous, the smarts that he has, is going to be important for us going forward.”