ATTENTION from taggers is something budding Hawthorn star Bradley Hill is going to have to get used to.
The speedy winger is enjoying a breakout season and was targeted for the first time by one of the best stoppers in the business, Brent Macaffer, in the Hawks' 29-point win over Collingwood last Saturday.
"When he came up to me I thought this is going to be a pretty tough day," Hill told AFL.com.au.
"I saw it as a challenge and I tried to use my strength, which is running, and I tried to run him around.
"I found it pretty difficult. It was a good experience and hopefully I can just keep improving."
Given the 20-year-old's form, it's unlikely to be the last time he wears an opponent like a second skin.
Importantly, Hill has the right mindset to take on taggers.
It's something he welcomes, knowing it's a sign of respect from the opposition.
"That's the first time I reckon (I've been tagged), I had a little bit last week against Carlton," he said.
"I like to take them for a run around the park and hopefully I can get rid of them and by the last quarter hopefully it opens up for me."
That was exactly what he tried to do against Macaffer, who has been the best run-with player in the AFL this year and can claim Richmond skipper Trent Cotchin among his scalps.
In the first quarter against Collingwood, Hill dragged Macaffer the length and breadth of the MCG.
But wherever he went, the Magpies' No. 3 followed.
Hill collected five touches and two score assists to quarter-time, after Macaffer got one-up on him by kicking an early goal.
It was tit for tat throughout the match.
Every time Hill threatened to get off the leash, Macaffer took his blocking, tackling and grappling tactics to new levels.
It was an enthralling battle within a battle and, at the final siren, the honours were even.
Hill had 14 possessions – down on his season average of nearly 22 disposals – and kicked an important third-quarter goal, while Macaffer gathered 13 touches to go with his one major.
"I thought I did alright in the first quarter but then in the next three quarters I didn't go too well," Hill said.
"After the first quarter I felt a bit buggered myself, but I tried to blow him up early.
"He was really good. He could run; I thought he wasn't as good a runner as he was on the day.
"He had a lot of help from his teammates as well, which was good for him.
"From now on hopefully I can just keep improving on that if I ever get guys come to me. I can learn from guys like Sammy Mitchell who get tagged all the time."
Hamstring injuries to Mitchell and Cyril Rioli have swung more of the opposition's spotlight onto Hill this season.
But with three pre-seasons, 42 games and a premiership under his belt since he was taken with the No. 33 pick overall in the 2011 NAB AFL Draft, the West Perth product has built the fitness and confidence to deal with it.
"I reckon having an extra pre-season has helped me a lot, I'm running out games a lot better," said Hill, who had 15 possessions and kicked a goal in last year's Grand Final.
"I'm more confident now out on the field, backing myself and taking the game on a bit more. That's pretty much the key area that's improving my game.
"Obviously as a young fella you're always confident playing guys your age. Just playing that extra season now I just back myself more."
