Why Maher is excited about Hawthorn's Cat B rookie signing of cross-code speedster

10/31/2024 04:00 PM

SEN host Andy Maher is hearing some exciting things about Hawthorn's latest Category B rookie signing Matt Hill.

Hill joined the Hawks on Wednesday having most recently been a member of the Melbourne Storm Academy in the NRL.

While the 20-year-old had been pursuing rugby league, he's no stranger to Aussie rules having grown up in the Northern Territory where he was once a member of the Gold Coast Suns Academy.

Maher heard from a very astute judge that Hill may just have the traits to become an exciting AFL footballer and he congratulated the Hawks on securing the 187cm player who possesses some obvious talent.

"Matty Hill is the young Hawthorn signing," Maher said on SEN's The Run Home

"About six weeks ago I came on after having a conversation with a very, very astute judge that told me to have a look at this kid.

"He was on the Melbourne Storm's development squad… he's only 20 and he's related to the Hill family that have made such a name at the AFL level already.

"He made rugby league his sport of choice but might have been just too slight to cut it at that game.

"So at 20 years of age, Hawthorn have added him to their list as a Category B rookie which is exactly how this system should be used.

"He's played footy as a junior, he's from Katherine (in the NT) so it's not like he's never seen a Sherrin before, he's just been playing another sport.

"Hawthorn have jagged him and from what I'm told he could be a very, very exciting player.

"Well done Hawks, you could have found another one."

Hawthorn also announced another Category B rookie signing on Wednesday, with 209cm former basketball Jaime Uhr-Henry also joining the job.

Photo: Melbourne Storm.