WHILE the rest of his teammates congregated in the centre of the MCG to celebrate their 95-point win over Melbourne, Bulldog pup Josh Hill had a more pressing issue to attend to.

As the Demons dejectedly left the field via the players' race, a lone figure in Aaron Davey began to hobble down to the rooms through the exit behind the interchange bench, aided by crutches and with his injured foot strapped.

Before the lively forward could get that far, he was stopped by Hill. The 19-year-old jogged over to shake the hand of Davey, after following the talented Demon's career and forging a friendship with him through a well-known first cousin.

"I'm pretty good mates with him because my cousin, Ashley Sampi, stayed with him when he did a pre-season with Melbourne," Hill said, after the game.

"So I've got a lot of respect for Aaron. I grew up watching him, so I had to say to him: 'Good game'."

There was a strong case for Davey to return the compliment.

Hill, in just his third senior game, booted three goals on Saturday and continued to wow the football world with his natural prowess around goal.

"I just want to make an impact and do it for the club and get up on the board in the first rounds," Hill said.

"There were a lot more nerves last week, playing against Adelaide in the first round.

"Coming into this week, it was a bit better, with the boys letting me know to not let it get to me or to get ahead of myself."

Coach Rodney Eade had praise for his young charge, but was mindful to ensure the young talent's feet remain firmly on the ground.

"He's been good. He's like any young lad; you've got to be careful because there's still a way to go and a lot to learn," Eade said of Hill.

"He hasn't achieved much yet, but his form has been encouraging. As with youngsters, we'll expect that at some stage he'll be up and down, as youngsters are.

"The pleasing thing from a coaching point of view and from his teammates is his work rate off the ball. He's prepared to put pressure on, and he had a couple of really good tackles today, which was a plus."

However, Hill is a step ahead of Eade. He knows he's not guaranteed a spot in the side every week, or that spectacular performances will regularly and naturally come his way.

After playing one game last year during a time when the Bulldogs were decimated with injuries, the former Claremont (WAFL) player knows he has to earn a gig from week to week.

"It's great being picked by the club," he said.

"But there are times when I won't get picked, and I will have a bad game every once in a while."

Hill credits the Bulldogs with preparing him to play senior football on a more regular basis after spending most of last year at Werribee.

"It's just all that help from the club," he said.

"They tell you what they expect from you and what they want out of you, and what you have to do in the pre-season."