Ian “Bobby” Hill’s dreams of playing in the AFL became a reality on Friday morning, when he was snapped up by Greater Western Sydney in the national draft.
The Avon Junior Football Association product was selected by the Giants in the early goings of the second round, with the club using the 24th overall pick to snare the silky smooth forward.
The selection is a potential bargain for the Giants, with Hill touted by many as a shoe-in for the first round heading into the draft.
The 18-year-old speedster was heavily tipped to make his way to Fremantle with their first pick, but slipped to the welcoming arms of the Giants, who traded up the pecking order to nab the Avon star.
Hill’s electrifying pace highlights his game, but his leaping ability takes it to another level with the goalsneak able to fly high above what his 175cm frame.
“Ian is an enormously talented small forward who plays with real speed and X-factor,” Giants national recruiting manager Adrian Caruso told the club’s website.
“Creative with the ball and a threat near goal or up high, we feel in the modern game he can really open things up for us.
“We’ve followed Ian’s journey and given the quality and types of players we brought in last night, we prioritised trading up to get Ian based on where we ranked him in our talent order.
“It’s rare to find a player with the special qualities Ian possesses, hence why we moved up.”
Prior to the draft, WA under 18s coach Peter Sumich declared any club that nabs Hill outside of the top 15 picks has garnered themselves a steal.
Comparisons leading into the draft likened Hill to Hawthorn legend Cyril Rioli.
The Avon junior spent his WAFL days playing for Perth, where he averaged 19.7 disposals and nailed 12 goals at the colts level in 2018.
Justin Rake
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
