At a glance:

  • Bradley Hill is keen on returning to September success after a four-year drought.
  • The 26-year-old will be a key player in the Saints' rise back up the ladder, along with the club's new trade acquisitions.
  • Hill will play his 150th game in Round 1 against North Melbourne.  

It has been four years since Bradley Hill last played in September, and he is getting tired of sitting it out.

Hill's track record before then was brilliant. He featured in the Hawks' three-peat of premierships from 2013-15, and was a key player in their remarkable run with his speed and class.

But for the past three years – his full stint at Fremantle – Hill's Dockers couldn't crack the top-eight and the new St Kilda recruit has watched on for long enough.

Bradley Hill has his sights set on a successful season. Photo: Corey Scicluna.

Having arrived at Moorabbin during last year's Trade Period, Hill is desperate for his side to be back in the action, with St Kilda keen to break its eight-season finals drought. 

"The club wants improvement. To play finals would be a tick and if we can get there I'd be pretty excited," Hill told AFL.com.au.

"They want to improve from last year and for me personally I want to get back and play finals. If we can do that I'd be very happy."

Recruits, young forward impress in Saints' win over Magpies

The 26-year-old will be a key factor in the Saints getting there. After drawn-out negotiations, the club landed the playmaker last off-season to fill their need for genuine line-breaking runner. 

Hill showed his class in the Saints' opening Marsh Community Series clash with Hawthorn last month, and backed it up with an impressive performance against Collingwood at Morwell. 

He was one of five additions the Saints landed during last year's trade period, alongside Dougal Howard, Paddy Ryder, Dan Butler and Zak Jones.

"They had a lot of blokes out last year, but have a lot of younger blokes who are getting better and there's another four guys who have come along to the club when I did so there's going to be a lot of different players out there," he said.

It's pretty exciting, it's going to be tough for spots, which is what you want to be a good side. You need to have some good players missing out.

- Bradley Hill

Hill carried a knee injury through last season that took some management in his first summer at St Kilda, but said there was no nerves ahead of his maiden appearance in the red, white and black. Not yet, anyway. 

"When I play my first game I will be a little bit nervous, but I have played a lot of footy," he said.

"My first game is my 150th game as well so it is going to be weird playing in a milestone game in my debut for a new club. I've got the family coming over so I'm pretty excited about it."