Trade period recruit Bradley Hill is a surprise inclusion in a revamped St Kilda leadership group for the 2020 AFL season.
Boom recruit Bradley Hill has been immediately elevated into St Kilda’s leadership group for the 2020 AFL season.
The former Fremantle and Hawthorn wingman will serve as part of a six-man group to be led by Jarryn Geary, who was named captain for a fourth consecutive year.
Seb Ross will continue as vice-captain while Tim Membrey, Dylan Roberton and Jack Billings are also in the group that was voted in by the players, coaches and football staff.
Hill’s surprise appointment to a leadership role comes after he was dumped from a similar position by Fremantle after an off-field incident with police in May 2018.
Hill, then 24, was removed from the Dockers’ leadership group, suspended for one AFL game and fined $5000, with an additional $5000 suspended.
He was also reprimanded by the club for consuming alcohol while injured.
“I was disappointed with what happened over there and I’ve matured a lot since then and I learnt a lot from that,” Hill said on Wednesday.
“It’s been a couple of years now, so I’m getting older and a little bit wiser.
“I’ve only been here for a few months but it’s great to be a part of the leadership group.
“I just want to help out as much as I can, especially with the younger players coming through.”
Saints coach Brett Ratten said the 26-year-old had won the club over since arriving as one of five big-name recruits during last October’s trade period.
“Hill’s selection demonstrates the impact he has made on the group in a short time and is a reflection of how hard he has worked to gain his teammates’ trust and respect,” Ratten said.
Roberton was included despite being limited to just four games in the past two seasons because of ongoing health concerns surrounding a heart condition.
Ratten said the leadership group reflected the team’s chosen values.
“It was clear through the process we went through that these six guys were regarded as the drivers of the standards we are trying to reach,” he said.
St Kilda will take on Hawthorn in their opening AFL pre-season series match on Thursday night at Moorabbin.
Vercetti1986'
Roar Rookie
That is true money talks but I think Fremantle did have problems under Lyon retaining talent. Neale, Hill, Langdon etc. would easily be in their best 22 so I think it is a bit more complex than just the money. We don't know how much money he was on at Freo and we still honestly don't know what his making at St Kilda. I don't believe the reporting is entirely reliable either about player contracts
Neville M
Guest
Getting a reported $300k more than what he was getting paid under Ross Lyon is quite a big incentive.
nemo
Guest
great choice STK on bradley Hill . wonderful young man with an infectious smiling attitude and a proven winner
Vercetti1986'
Roar Rookie
Yes, it seems leadership groups are becoming more and more meaningless. There are too many players in these groups across the league, making the idea of a leader a bit redundant if everyone can be a leader. I think most people do not have the qualities to be an outstanding leader. It is very difficult to find good leaders so I find it hard to believe that there are so many players at these clubs that have these qualities. I do appreciate the idea of a leadership hierarchy but 6-10 players in a group is too many. I think Geary is a captain that players would respect with the way he puts his body on the line and the team first but he has a rather limited skill set unfortunately so he has to make up for it with his tenacity and commitment.
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
Not the most inspiring leadership group you'd come across. Let's hope a good work ethic makes up for the dearth of talent at the Saints.
Vercetti1986'
Roar Rookie
I would say off-field leadership is just as important as on field. When Harvey was playing, they had very questionable off-field leadership such Butterss that I think severely damaged their prospects of winning a premiership in the mid-2000s when they had a good list. Back to your original point, I would argue Riewoldt and Hayes were great leaders at St Kilda once Harvey retired and it is hard to replace players of that calibre but the Hill inclusion does raise questions. He has apparently been very impressive to all the players and coaches. It seems he couldn't wait to get out of Fremantle under Lyon.
Vercetti1986'
Roar Rookie
Yeah the inclusion of Hill into the leadership group is not the best optics in relation to that but I do trust the judgement of Ratten, the players and the other personnel at the club. Apparently it was not just the players who were able to vote but also a few of the coaches and staff so they must have a lot of confidence in his abilities. I am hoping Hill has cleaned his act up since 2018, when he was removed from Freo's leadership group but so long as he plays at his best, that is all that matters. On a side note, I am a bit concerned about Geary still being captain when he will probably not be in the best 22 by the end of the year. He is a good leader and is passionate but his skills are not up to scratch. He is a good lockdown defender on small forwards but his ball use is problematic. Hopefully his skills will become more polished under Ratten.
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
In honour of the patron saint of modern absurdity, St Gwyneth of Paltrow, I hereby, and forthwith, declare all references to the signature, ludicrously inflated "AFL Leadership Group", shall now be termed "AFL Leadership Goop".
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
How do you even make a leadership group when you've been at 3 clubs, you're as close to a mercenary as this sport gets.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
At least they're getting smaller with every team's announcement :silly:
Macca
Roar Rookie
6 in the leadership group - dangerously close to "whopping"
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Won it by default surely, St Kilda haven't had anything resembling leadership since Robert Harvey got chaired off