BRADLEY Hill has revealed brother Stephen and Fremantle teammate Michael Walters as his two confidants throughout his blockbuster trade to St Kilda.
Unveiled for the first time as a Saint on Friday, Hill detailed his decision to return back to Victoria that started with a meeting with the Saints mid-season.
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The 26-year-old will play for his third club on a long-term deal estimated at $900,000 per season, three years after he left Hawthorn for the Dockers.
Bradley Hill speaks to reporters on Friday. Picture: AFL Photos
After keeping the news of his latest move from captain Nat Fyfe, Hill played out the second half of the season in the knowledge he would join his girlfriend in Victoria.
"Actually, I was pretty honest with 'Sonny' (Walters), I pretty much told him straight away, so Sonny's known since halfway through the year," Hill said at Moorabbin on Friday.
"Obviously, we're very close and he kept that to himself and I told my brother Stephen as well.
"It was a bit sad about me leaving, we played some good footy with each other. Sonny's always going to be a friend to me and a close mate.
"I didn't tell the captain anything, but I did tell all the boys at the end of the year that I was going to request a trade, so they knew it was coming before it happened."
Fremantle skipper Nat Fyfe and Bradley Hill after the R20 win over Geelong. Picture: AFL Photos
Hill initiated talks with the Saints when Alan Richardson was still in charge, only to complete the deal with his former Hawks assistant Brett Ratten at the helm.
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"I didn't know the coach change was going to happen, (but) obviously the players that are playing for the club aren't really going to change too much," Hill said.
"I've had a little bit of work with 'Ratts' when I was at the Hawks and it'll be good to get there and get working with him again.
"I didn't know Ratts was going to be the coach, obviously I knew he was an assistant at the club and I worked with him for three or four years (at Hawthorn)."
St Kilda coach Brett Ratten. Picture: AFL Photos
Hill also confirmed AFL.com.au's report on the meniscus damage the Saints' medical screening found in his knee that will result in a managed pre-season.
"That's something probably you're going to have to ask the doctor, I'm not that good with injuries and knowing what's going on," he said.
"I can still run and do everything fully. I played all last year and didn't miss any games and I'll start pre-season day one.
"There'll be a little bit of load management but I'm not too sure exactly."
Bradley Hill on…
His move to Moorabbin:
"I haven't fully moved over yet, I'll do the move in about two weeks. I've got to drive over (from Perth) with the dogs so that'll be interesting."
The wait during the Telstra AFL Trade Period before confirmation on the final day:
"There was a little bit of nerves, waiting eight or nine days to see what happens. There were times I thought it was going to happen that day and it didn't."
The role he'll play in 2020:
"I expect I'll probably play on the wing, I don't think I know how to play anywhere else. I'll just stay on the wing and do what I've been doing over the last couple of years."
On the high price the Saints paid for him:
"I don't really get stressed over that sort of thing, I'll just go out and play footy and there's nothing else I can really do."
