BRADLEY Hill has broken his silence after being dumped from Fremantle's leadership group and suspended by the Dockers, admitting he "did a silly thing" at a Scarborough nightspot earlier this month.
Hill allegedly gave police a false name and breached a move-on notice after being refused entry to a bar while on club-approved leave.
The 24-year-old also stepped out of line with Freo's alcohol policy for injured players and then failed to notify the club of the incident before media alerted the Dockers.
After meeting with football boss Chris Bond and the leadership group, Hill was hit with hefty sanctions.
The Doig medallist was slapped with a $5,000 fine – with another $5,000 suspended – banned for one AFL match, told to undergo alcohol education and removed as a leader only two months after being elevated to the position.
"Obviously it wasn't the greatest thing to happen, I did a silly thing and I'm not happy about it," a remorseful Hill told radio station Nova 93.7.
"I don't want to do something like that ever again.
"Everyone saw what happened with the fine and out of the leadership group, so it wasn't good news.
"But the only thing I can do now is get back out there and play my best footy for the club and help them out as much as possible."
Hill has been out of action since round two due to bone bruising in his knee.
The Dockers were relieved when he narrowly avoided rupturing his ACL against Essendon, but what was initially believed to be only a one-to-two-week setback has proved troublesome.
"I started running on-field yesterday and it's got to keep going up from here," Hill said.
"I'll run again tomorrow, Sunday and then hopefully I start doing a few drills next week with the group.
"I'm not too far away, hopefully I'm back playing in the next few weeks.
"It's all good news at the moment."
Once fit, Hill will serve his one-game AFL suspension and play for WAFL alignment club Peel.
His senior return could be complicated by Fremantle having the bye in round 14.
The Dockers have their fingers crossed Hill's older brother, Stephen, will overcome a sore quad to be available against North Melbourne at home on Sunday.
Key defender Joel Hamling was on light duties at Cockburn on Wednesday but is hopeful of being cleared of concussion after copping a high hit from Sydney superstar Lance Franklin.
Rebooted forward-turned-defender Shane Kersten could replace Hamling if his close friend isn't available, while speedy rookie Stefan Giro is a strong chance to debut if fellow youngster Mitch Crowden is rested.
Kersten (19 disposals, five marks) and Giro (27, nine tackles) were among Peel's few four-quarter performers during a 92-point belting from Subiaco last Saturday.
