FIRST impressions matter, and talented wingman Bradley Hill has not missed when it comes to the impact he's made on his new St Kilda teammates in the space of three months. 

The 26-year-old has been so influential since crossing from Fremantle in October last year, he's been voted into the six-man leadership group by his teammates, coaches and football staff.

It's a sharp turnaround for the young West Australian, who two years ago was dumped from the Dockers' leadership group after a drunken late-night run in with police. 

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"Everyone knows what happened there," Hill said on Wednesday.

"I've spoken about it before, I was disappointed with what happened over there and I've matured a lot since then and I've learnt a lot from that.

"It's been a couple of years now and I'm getting older and a little bit wiser."

In May 2018, Hill was removed from the leadership group, suspended for one AFL game and fined $5000, with an additional $5000 suspended, after breaching a move-on notice and giving police a false name in the Perth suburb of Scarborough.

It happened when he was sidelined with bone bruising in his knee, which meant the incident – which happened after he was refused entry to a venue – was a breach of the Dockers' injury and alcohol protocols. 

But none of that has mattered since Hill has arrived at Moorabbin with what his new club considers a clean slate. 

Captain Jarryn Geary said the three-time premiership Hawk hadn't put a foot wrong, which was reflected in his immediate promotion to the leaders' group.

"He should be proud of himself that he's come into a footy club and been able to slot into a leadership position straight away because it means he's had a massive influence on the playing group from day one," Geary said.

"We're lucky to have him, we were rapt to get him in the Trade Period and he's an extreme talent and he trains really hard and works his bum off."

It's been a smooth transition east for Hill. He's back in Bentleigh, where he lived during his pre-Fremantle days as a Hawk, and he recently got engaged to his partner Samantha.

He has rising star Ben Long living with them and says his cooking is partly responsible for the 22-year-old's sparkling pre-season form as a reborn half-back.

Hill is rapt to be in the same team as older cousin Paddy Ryder, who also joined the Saints at the end of last season. 

And he's delighted to have been acknowledged by his new teammates in the recent leadership vote, where he'll be given a second chance to help set the standards.

"I guess you never know until the votes come in but I was never going to change the way I was going to lead and the way I am with the playing group, especially the younger players," Hill said. 

"With my personality, I'm pretty out there and get along with everyone, so it's an honour to be part of this group." 

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