Stephen Hill (Australian footballer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Stephen Hill |
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Hill playing for Fremantle in 2016
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| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Stephen Hill | ||
| Date of birth | 1 May 1990 | ||
| Original team | West Perth (WAFL) | ||
| Draft | 3rd overall, 2008 Fremantle |
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| Debut | Round 1, 2009, Fremantle v. Western Bulldogs, at Subiaco Oval |
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| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Career highlights | |||
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Stephen Hill (born May 1, 1990) is a former Australian rules footballer. He played for the Fremantle Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). Stephen was known for his speed and quick thinking on the field.
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Stephen Hill's Early Football Days
Stephen Hill started his football journey playing for the West Perth Football Club in the West Australian Football League (WAFL). He was a very talented young player. In 2008, he represented Western Australia in the Under 18 Championships. His great performances there earned him a spot in the Under 18 All-Australian Team. This team features the best young players from across the country.
Getting Drafted into the AFL
Many people thought Stephen would be picked later in the draft. However, just before the 2008 AFL Draft, it was widely believed that the Fremantle Football Club would choose him early. They did! Fremantle picked Stephen with their very first choice, which was the third pick overall in the draft. This showed how highly they thought of his skills.
Stephen Hill's AFL Career Highlights
Stephen made his big debut in the AFL in Round 1 of the 2009 AFL season. He played his first game against the Western Bulldogs. It was a memorable start because he kicked a goal with his very first kick in AFL football! This happened thanks to a 50-metre penalty given to his team.
Becoming an AFL Rising Star
After a few games, Stephen really shone in Round 6. This was during a special game called the "Western Derby" against the West Coast Eagles. He had an amazing game, getting 21 possessions (meaning he touched the ball 21 times) and kicking 2 goals. He also had 7 "inside 50s," which means he moved the ball into his team's attacking area many times.
Fremantle won that game after being behind, and Stephen's performance earned him a nomination for the AFL Rising Star award for that round. He was also voted the best player on the ground, receiving 3 Brownlow votes.
Improving His Game and Retirement
As his career went on, Stephen Hill got much better. He became known for thinking quickly and moving fast with the ball. He could suddenly burst into speed, which made him a tough player to stop. Stephen played for Fremantle until August 2021. He decided to retire from AFL football after a season where he struggled with injuries.
Stephen Hill's Family in Football
Stephen Hill comes from a family of talented footballers. Before he joined Fremantle, he actually supported the West Coast Eagles! He is the older brother of Bradley Hill, who also played AFL.
His first cousin is Bobby Hill, who played for the Greater Western Sydney Giants and won a premiership with the Collingwood Football Club in 2023. Bobby also won the Norm Smith Medal in that Grand Final, which is given to the best player on the field. Stephen's second cousin is Joshua Hill, who played for the Western Bulldogs and West Coast Eagles.
Brothers Playing in a Grand Final
A cool fact about Stephen and Bradley Hill is that they made history in the 2013 AFL Grand Final. They became the first brothers to play against each other in an AFL Grand Final since way back in the 1912 VFL Grand Final. It must have been exciting for their family to see them both on the biggest stage in Australian rules football!
Images for kids
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Hill playing for Fremantle in 2016
