Northam homegrown AFL talent Ian ‘Bobby’ Hill says he is living the dream, as he heads into pre-season training with Greater Western Sydney.
The 18-year-old was picked up by the side as pick number 24 in the 2018 NAB AFL Draft in November.
Speaking to the Avon Valley and Wheatbelt Advocate, Hill said the home town support has been greatly appreciated.
“It was all pretty surreal having your home town have your back,” he said.
“Growing up there, you grow a lot of friendships and you know pretty much everyone around town.
“It was good to have all the support.”
Heading into the draft period there were rumours that the small forward would stay in WA, but instead he made the move east.
Hill said he was always open to relocating.
“It was pretty surreal moving over, knowing you're going to be living in Sydney for how ever long your contract is,” he said.
“Every time I had an interview I’d always say it would be a bonus to be drafted by a WA team but I wouldn’t care where I go as long as I’m living the dream.
“It was always put out there that I only wanted to stay in WA and when I’d have a meeting the clubs they would say ‘I heard you want to stay in WA’.
“It would have been a bonus if I stayed but I’m loving it here at GWS.
“Hopefully I will be here for a while.”
The Hill name has become well-known within the AFL through Fremantle players Bradley and Stephen, Hill’s second cousins.
The youngest of the footballing family said he is ready to forge his own path.
“I just want to make my own name and be my own player,” Hill said.
“It is good to have two cousins in the AFL but I want to live my own life.”
Growing up in Northam had its advantages to adapting to professional footballing life, according to Hill.
“I think growing up in the country, playing at the Federals when I was 13 or 14 I played against men, which none of the city boys have done, made me mature a bit more on the footy field,” he said.
“You’re going to get a hit here and there.
“That’s something that the city boys don’t get the experience.”
The draftee is set to return to full training in the next three to four weeks following a shoulder injury.
“I think I’m going pretty well with my fitness and the game style, its pretty easy to get a long with,” Hill said.
“I need to get my shoulder right.
“I’m learning each day from the coaches and the leaders.”
“I’m looking forward to see how far I can bring my own game.
“If I don’t get a couple games of AFL it is something I will continue to work on for next year.”
Hill said the transition to the AFL from playing WAFL for the Perth Demons has been seamless with some distinctive differences.
“Having had a pre-season in the WAFL, AFL is a lot harder but that is something you expect,” he said.
“You’re learning new things and getting better each day.
“When I was playing WAFL, a lot of the time you would train in the afternoon with people having work.
“With AFL you wake you at 6.30 in the morning.
“It starts at 9am and you finish around 4pm.
“It’s long hours and it will be worth it in the end.”
Hill said the side will be one to watch in the 2019 AFL season.
“It will be good to see how we go this year,” he said.
“Anything could happen.”
