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06/04/2009 11:48 AM
Paul Gough
Sportal
Western Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade is hoping Josh Hill's match-winning heroics against North Melbourne will prove a turning point in the exciting youngster's career.
Hill, an AFL Rising Star nominee last year who is now in his third AFL season, booted three second-half goals in wet conditions at the MCG and his two last-quarter goals - combined with setting up Lindsay Gilbee for the last goal of the game - proved to be the difference as the Dogs maintained their unbeaten start to 2009 with a 15-point win.
Eade admits that the naturally talented 20-year-old Hill can often look as though he is coasting through games and hopes his influential performance against North will lead to a period of greater consistency from one of the Dogs' most exciting young players.
"I probably ride him a little bit because sometimes his workrate can drop off," Eade said of Hill.
"But in the second half (against North) he won some vital balls and kicked some good goals and that is the type of game that will cement the thought in his head that if he works hard there will be rewards at the end of it."
It was only the second time in his 21-game career that Hill has kicked more than two goals in a game although he is averaging a goal per game across his career to date.
The West Australian - who now looks a bargain having been claimed at pick 61 in the 2006 National Draft - says he was delighted to play his part in a significant win for the Bulldogs.
"I started to fatigue a bit (in the last quarter) but it was good the coaches put me up forward and I did my part and kicked a few goals and we got the right result," Hill told Sportal.
"It was also good to adapt to the (wet) weather, knowing we could do that."
For a young player Hill also showed nerves of steel in the final term when he converted a tricky set shot early in the quarter to give the Dogs a three-goal lead.
"I thought it was going for the goalpost and I thought it was going to hit it but it just snuck in so I was very happy," he said.
Hill, who played 18 games last season including the finals but lost his place for five weeks during the middle of the season, is aiming to be a regular member of what is shaping as a powerful Bulldogs side this season.
"I had a bit of experience last year in the finals so coming into the new season I felt a lot more comfortable and now I want to stay injury-free and play as many games as possible," he said.
Paul Gough
Sportal
Western Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade is hoping Josh Hill's match-winning heroics against North Melbourne will prove a turning point in the exciting youngster's career.
Hill, an AFL Rising Star nominee last year who is now in his third AFL season, booted three second-half goals in wet conditions at the MCG and his two last-quarter goals - combined with setting up Lindsay Gilbee for the last goal of the game - proved to be the difference as the Dogs maintained their unbeaten start to 2009 with a 15-point win.
Eade admits that the naturally talented 20-year-old Hill can often look as though he is coasting through games and hopes his influential performance against North will lead to a period of greater consistency from one of the Dogs' most exciting young players.
"I probably ride him a little bit because sometimes his workrate can drop off," Eade said of Hill.
"But in the second half (against North) he won some vital balls and kicked some good goals and that is the type of game that will cement the thought in his head that if he works hard there will be rewards at the end of it."
It was only the second time in his 21-game career that Hill has kicked more than two goals in a game although he is averaging a goal per game across his career to date.
The West Australian - who now looks a bargain having been claimed at pick 61 in the 2006 National Draft - says he was delighted to play his part in a significant win for the Bulldogs.
"I started to fatigue a bit (in the last quarter) but it was good the coaches put me up forward and I did my part and kicked a few goals and we got the right result," Hill told Sportal.
"It was also good to adapt to the (wet) weather, knowing we could do that."
For a young player Hill also showed nerves of steel in the final term when he converted a tricky set shot early in the quarter to give the Dogs a three-goal lead.
"I thought it was going for the goalpost and I thought it was going to hit it but it just snuck in so I was very happy," he said.
Hill, who played 18 games last season including the finals but lost his place for five weeks during the middle of the season, is aiming to be a regular member of what is shaping as a powerful Bulldogs side this season.
"I had a bit of experience last year in the finals so coming into the new season I felt a lot more comfortable and now I want to stay injury-free and play as many games as possible," he said.
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