Fremantle’s 2017 Doig Medallist Bradley Hill has credited his continued improvement since his arrival at Freo to feeling comfortable at the club and happy at home in Western Australia.
A three-time premiership player at Hawthorn, Hill became the first Fremantle player to win the best and fairest award in his first season at the club since Troy Cook in 2000.
“It’s unreal. I’m pinching myself a little bit. I wasn’t really expecting it but I’m very happy,” Hill said.
“I think being home and being happy (has helped my football), I’ve got all my family and friends around me and enjoying life and playing some good footy.
“I’ve found it easy to fit in with this group. They’ve made it easy for me as well. My season was pretty consistent and I want to keep improving from here.”
The 24-year-old didn’t need to waste any time settling in with a new group, a task that was made easier by joining a vibrant young team.
“I would have thought I would need time to fit in and gel with the boys but it happened pretty quick. This group is young and it made it easy to fit in," Hill said.
“I‘ve been pretty lucky. I want to keep improving my footy and achieve more things in my career.”
The younger of the Hill siblings at Freo has relished the chance to play alongside his older brother Stephen – the 2016 Doig Medal runner-up - who was quick to embrace Bradley after the winner was announced.
“It was awesome to play with Stephen. He had a couple of injuries but hopefully, next season we have the chance to gel a bit more and play more footy alongside each other,” Hill said.
“He’s finished third a couple times in the Doig Medal and a second. He’s a great player at the club and he’s been very consistent. He could have won one of these the way he’s played.
“I think some of the best footy is ahead of him, he’s only young at 27. I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do.”
