Twelve years on from his debut outing as a spry, tattoo-free Hawk in 2012, Bradley Hill is just about out of ink real-estate.
But a win on Saturday in his 250th game could potentially go in the running to take up one of the last patches, especially if his last major milestone is anything to go by.
Chaired off the ground by then-teammates and close friends Paddy Ryder and Ben Long, Aboriginal flag proudly held aloft as St Kilda recorded a rousing 21-point win over Adelaide as part of the 2022 Sir Doug Nicholls Round, the proud moment for Hill was fortunately captured on camera to go down as one of the most powerful photos of that year.
So significant to Hill in fact, it’s now been permanently inked onto him as part of a growing, rich tapestry on his upper leg highlighting his Noongar/Wiilman heritage.
“I started getting it about two or three weeks ago now, so it’s pretty much nearly finished. That’s how special it is to me,” Hill said in the lead-up to his 250th game.
“Obviously having Paddy and Longy who I’m super close with (carrying me off), having the Aboriginal flag in Indigenous Round, we got the win over there…this is one of my all-time favourite photos.
“It goes so quick, it feels like it wasn’t too long ago my 200th! I remember when I was younger and people around me said how quick footy goes… you’re a young 18-year-old kid and you think ‘nah, I’ve got lots of time’, but it does go pretty quick and you’ve just got to cherish these little moments.”
Tonight against West Coast, Hill will become the 17th First Nations player in VFL/AFL history to reach the esteemed 250-game mark. Aunty Katrina Amon, St Kilda’s Indigenous Development Manager, has even ensured to pack the Aboriginal flag for the game in the event the Saints come out on top.
The 31-year-old has showed no signs of slowing down this season, averaging 21 disposals from his 16 appearances to bear down on the fabled 300-game club — which has just eight First Nations players within it, including former Hawthorn teammates Shaun Burgoyne (407) and Lance Franklin (350) — as a contract extension looms.
Hill’s age has brought wisdom. Now viewed as the “uncle” or “big brother” of St Kilda’s current First Nations playing cohort, Hill has become a compassionate and respected leader among the red, white and black, helping set an example for the next up-and-coming Saints in Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Marcus Windhager, Liam Henry, Lance Collard and Isaac Keeler.
“I’m the old fella now! It is a weird feeling because I still feel like I’m a young boy, I always act like one as well,” Hill said with a chuckle.
“I’m always there to help the younger boys if they ever need me. I make sure to let them know if they’ve got any issues, any problems or if they need help with anything, I’m always there for them.”
That natural inclination to care for those around has translated perfectly into fatherhood, with Hill and wife Sammy expecting their second child, a baby boy, to accompany daughter, Harriet, in the happy Hill household.
Hill’s 250th game, scheduled for last week’s match against the Crows at Adelaide Oval, was postponed by a week in anticipation of baby Hill’s imminent arrival, however the Saints’ No. 8 will fittingly celebrate the milestone with his young family watching on from the stands.
“Harriet, my daughter, she means the world to me,” Hill said.
“It’s crazy, once you have a kid, just that love you have for them instantly is the best feeling in the world. She’s the best thing that’s ever happened.
“It’s hard to even explain how much you love your kid. Even coming home from work… she just runs up to me and gets so excited to see me. That love that she gives us and the love she makes me give her, there’s nothing like it.”
