Welcome Welcome to Hawthorn: Matt Hill! CatB rookie, ex-Storm

[Ned Ryerson]

Here's a news item from Melbourne Storm.

Matt Hill granted release

Melbourne Storm has released Jersey Flegg squad member Matt Hill from his contract to allow him to take up an opportunity with AFL club Hawthorn.

www.melbournestorm.com.au

Like that he was playing centres also - means he doesn’t mind a little contact.

 

[kazzooka]

Fullbacks in the NRL will run about 8km over an 80 minute game and will always be in motion when there's not a stoppage. Will probably need to develop his tank a little but I don't think his endurance will be that much of an issue.

Yeah it's a different kind of running though. When I played wing it was all about repeat 200m or 400m. You don't often get into a full stride like that in rugby.

I'd imagine he will take a bit to adapt if he is to play as a winger or high half forward to be at those Smith, hill, Moore levels but sounds like he should be ready to play full games in other roles.

 

[kazzooka]

We’ve been getting him to run his 3km and 2km runs..
He is a natural runner.
I won’t share too much but I’ll just point out that his resting heart rate is 40BPM and he has a lot of cardio in his tank.
Will obviously need to be an endurance runner playing a different sport but he will do his Preseason with extreme diligence like he has the past 2 Storm Seniors preseasons which are very testing to any player.
He’ll adapt in time to be a good runner in the AFL.

Thanks so much for sharing.

What was behind the reasoning to come back to try AFL was it just the Hawks convincing him?

I saw in 1 of the clips above that he seemed concerned about his size to be a top level rugby league player. Obviously no issues with his size to be a AFL player seems to have the perfect build.

 

[Simon Crawshay]

If he is a legit 187cm and is quick that's a very solid foundation to build an AFL career around.

As others have said the biggest hurdle will be to go from running 8km a game to 15km a game but he looks like he has a natural middle distance runners build to me.

 

[play2win]

Looks really promising. Hope he can or learns to bounce the ball at top speed, could be a weapon.

 

[hilly82]

Good Luck!
I hope Matt gets a good run at it !
Thanks for sharing this information about Matt!



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[hilly82]

All good, we’re all intrigued and excited too and all Hawks supporters now for him

 

[The Jet From Poowong]

Here's a news item from Melbourne Storm.

Matt Hill granted release

Melbourne Storm has released Jersey Flegg squad member Matt Hill from his contract to allow him to take up an opportunity with AFL club Hawthorn.

www.melbournestorm.com.au

All good, we’re all intrigued and excited too and all Hawks supporters now for him

I recall Cameron Smith was a Hawthorn supporter. And I vaguely recall Craig Bellamy had something going with the Hawks a few years back. May be a supporter too.

He probably let young Matt go knowing that the club he was going to would look after him.

In all seriousness, if he can adapt, he could be a great find.

 

[hilly82]

Thanks so much for sharing.

What was behind the reasoning to come back to try AFL was it just the Hawks convincing him?

I saw in 1 of the clips above that he seemed concerned about his size to be a top level rugby league player. Obviously no issues with his size to be a AFL player seems to have the perfect build.

You hit the nail on the head, he walks around 82kgs and couldn’t get to the required 90+kgs that the seniors requested.
He loved the club but made a move also because it limited his career growth at Storm with the weight issue..
He played Footy as a kid right up to 15yrs old and was selected for State QLD 16s but refused to go on because Broncos took him as a Development Player

 

[Judd2Sewell]

Sounds like a very promising talent, and a good kid with the right attitude to boot.

 

[hilly82]

Also I’ll clear up the Indigenous questions, Matt is cousins with Brad, Bobby Hill and also all the other past Hill boys like Josh Hill

Josh Hill

Age

36

Ht

186cm

Wt

85kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.4

3star

K

8.1

3star

HB

4.3

3star

M

4.1

4star

T

2.8

4star

G

1.3

5star

No current season stats available

D

15.0

4star

K

10.8

4star

HB

4.2

4star

M

6.4

5star

T

1.8

4star

G

1.2

4star

and obviously Stephen Hill

32

Stephen Hill

Age

34

Ht

183cm

Wt

82kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

19.5

5star

K

11.7

4star

HB

7.8

5star

M

3.0

3star

T

2.9

4star

MG

223.5

3star

D

13.5

3star

K

8.8

4star

HB

4.8

3star

M

4.8

4star

T

0.8

1star

MG

223.5

3star

D

11.2

3star

K

5.4

2star

HB

5.8

4star

M

2.2

3star

T

2.8

5star

. We originally come from South West WA the land where our Noongar people originated. We also have family connections with other ex players like Buddy Franklin, Jeff Garlett

Jeff Garlett

Age

35

Ht

180cm

Wt

72kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

11.3

3star

K

8.1

3star

HB

3.2

3star

M

2.9

3star

T

3.4

5star

G

1.7

5star

No current season stats available

D

10.6

3star

K

8.2

4star

HB

2.4

3star

M

4.4

4star

T

2.2

4star

G

1.0

4star

, Derek Kickett and lots more..
We left Perth years ago to be in Katherine NT for family reasons

 

[Simon Crawshay]

Sounds like a very promising talent, and a good kid with the right attitude to boot.

Very much in line with Sam's stated aim of drafting kids with great character to the club.

Sounds like no matter what Matt is going to give it a red hot crack which is all you can ask.

 

[Slainte]

Also I’ll clear up the Indigenous questions, Matt is cousins with Brad, Bobby Hill and also all the other past Hill boys like Josh Hill and obviously Stephen Hill. We originally come from South West WA the land where our Noongar people originated. We also have family connections with other ex players like Buddy Franklin, Jeff Garlett, Derek Kickett and lots more..
We left Perth years ago to be in Katherine NT for family reasons

Thanks Hilly - great to hear. That is a serious footy pedigree.

 

[hilly82]

If he is a legit 187cm and is quick that's a very solid foundation to build an AFL career around.

As others have said the biggest hurdle will be to go from running 8km a game to 15km a game but he looks like he has a natural middle distance runners build to me.

Yes, you’re right the transition from his elite junior NRL fitness level coupled in with his natural running ability he will eventually reach the heights of being a gut running player one day.

 

[hilly82]

Thanks Hilly - great to hear. That is a serious footy pedigree.

You’re welcome mate. Happy to get on here when I can.. I’m as excited as you supporters are with the prospects..
I’ve seen him grow from a kid and there’s no questioning his natural abilities it’s just a case of him learning his role and understanding how to play the AFL and Hawks brand of footy so he can use his strengths to his advantages and also Hawks using him to his strengths also to capitalise which will happen eventually

 

[hilly82]

If he is a legit 187cm and is quick that's a very solid foundation to build an AFL career around.

As others have said the biggest hurdle will be to go from running 8km a game to 15km a game but he looks like he has a natural middle distance runners build to me.

He’s legit 187cm. I was trying to post a pic of him next to a player you all know Cyril Rioli but the thread won’t let me paste it. Matt towers over Cyril, only as a reference to height against someone you know… I hope Matt does half the stuff Cyril done though but anything’s possible

 

[Simon Crawshay]

He’s legit 187cm. I was trying to post a pic of him next to a player you all know Cyril Rioli but the thread won’t let me paste it. Matt towers over Cyril, only as a reference to height against someone you know… I hope Matt does half the stuff Cyril done though but anything’s possible

I'm sure we will see plenty of pre season photos of Matt against the current players which will confirm his height (not that I am doubting your word).

What do you see his natural position as Hilly? An ultra quick medium forward with good defensive ability, an e Durance machine running up and down the wing all day, a dasher off half back?

 

[hawkinoz]

He’s legit 187cm. I was trying to post a pic of him next to a player you all know Cyril Rioli but the thread won’t let me paste it. Matt towers over Cyril, only as a reference to height against someone you know… I hope Matt does half the stuff Cyril done though but anything’s possible

DM me the pic and I will post it here for you or try posting in a different thread. There is Hawks List management thread under Hawks board.

You may have to wait for pic to get loaded before you submit. Maybe it is a pic size issue, may be too big to load.

try posting a unrelated pic to see if you have any issue with permissions.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Great to have you here hilly82

 

[threesixpio]

Fast, tough and got the fend off and breust style rugby side step.

How much football has he played? is he going to be like other rugby converts that took a long time or has a played a lot of junior footy?

Played both codes as kid

 

[MazHawk]

I've got big wraps on Matt. His grounding in AFL followed by the furnace of NRL will hold him in good stead.
I wont be surprised if he gets a gig later next year. It'll take hard work but he looks the type that'll do it.

 

[Simon Crawshay]

I've got big wraps on Matt. His grounding in AFL followed by the furnace of NRL will hold him in good stead.
I wont be surprised if he gets a gig later next year. It'll take hard work but he looks the type that'll do it.

If he does make the grade at the Hawks would Matt be the only legitimate NRL to AFL transition (I don't count the Hunt and Israel marketing gimmicks)?

I know Dean Brogan made the switch from NBL to AFL bit I can't recall an NRL player ever doing it in a legitimate sense (mind you neither has an AFL player switched to NRL that I'm aware off).

The fact that he played both codes as a youngster is what will give him a decent shot (that and the fact his body type seems more suited to AFL than NRL).

 

[hilly82]

I'm sure we will see plenty of pre season photos of Matt against the current players which will confirm his height (not that I am doubting your word).

What do you see his natural position as Hilly? An ultra quick medium forward with good defensive ability, an e Durance machine running up and down the wing all day, a dasher off half back?

Natural midfielder as a kid, I see him start off the flanks either back or forward half and doing lots of 2 ways runs to chase down tackle pressure and explode away from congestion to attack.. He’ll end up being a wingman when his tanks good for it.
Everything you mentioned is accurate.
I have footage of him running at Second rowers and while they try fend him off he’s pushed their arm down and pinned them full pace so good luck to Harley Reid or anyone else trying to fend him off when he’s in the seniors

 

[hilly82]

If he does make the grade at the Hawks would Matt be the only legitimate NRL to AFL transition (I don't count the Hunt and Israel marketing gimmicks)?

I know Dean Brogan made the switch from NBL to AFL bit I can't recall an NRL player ever doing it in a legitimate sense (mind you neither has an AFL player switched to NRL that I'm aware off).

The fact that he played both codes as a youngster is what will give him a decent shot (that and the fact his body type seems more suited to AFL than NRL).

Matt’s genuinely a 50/50 Rugby/Aussie Rules kid growing up, he could be the first Junior NRL talent to go to the AFL.

 

[toomanysquibs]

We’ve been getting him to run his 3km and 2km runs..
He is a natural runner.
I won’t share too much but I’ll just point out that his resting heart rate is 40BPM and he has a lot of cardio in his tank.
has the past 2 Storm Seniors preseasons which are very testing to any player.
He’ll adapt in time to be a good runner in the AFL.

That is some kind of resting heart rate, my guess is he becomes an elite endurance runner, and probably isn't far off the AFL average running wise already.

It's really noticeable that his best NFL traits are ones that translate to AFL.

That pace, power to fend off at speed, footwork, sure hands, reading of the high ball etc. all bode well for him.

What was the knock on him in the NRL? Was it just size and power? That's where those guys tend to elevate themselves above AFL players. Just an insane number of repeat collisions in that game, and more big guys who hit hard.