Hawthorn pounce on exciting Melbourne Storm Academy talent Matt Hill

Hawthorn have confirmed they have signed promising NRL talent Matt Hill as a Category B rookie.

Hill, 20, is from Katherine in the Northern Territory and has been the subject of a mighty arm wrestle between the AFL and the NRL.

Prior to this latest move, the talented athlete — with electric speed — had been at the Melbourne Storm Academy and was part of that NRL club’s First Nations Pathway Program.

But before the Storm, Hill spent time at the Gold Coast Suns’ AFL Academy at under-15 level.

He then explored an opportunity with the Brisbane Broncos before moving to the Storm and now the Hawks.

Hawthorn say Hill is a “187cm speedster”.

He has been added to their list ahead of Thursday’s first pre-season signing deadline, along with former basketballer Jaime Uhr-Henry.

Uhr-Henry stands at 209cm is a ruck prospect.

He played for the Bulleen Boomers and the Dandenong Rangers in NBL One.

Originally from Chirnside Park, Uhr-Henry grew up a Hawks supporter and played junior football in the Eastern Football League.

Hawthorn list manager Mark McKenzie said both players bring unique and exciting skillsets to the club. “While Jaime and Matt join the club as a relatively raw duo, they both possess enormous upside,” McKenzie said.

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“Standing at 209cm, Jaime clearly has some exciting physical traits, along with his professional basketball background we believe his progression will be one to watch. “Meanwhile, at 20 years of age, Matt has shown in his young sporting career that he is a naturally gifted athlete with exciting speed, in addition to playing several years of footy as a junior, he has immense potential. “Given time to develop, we’re confident both Jaime and Matt can make an impact in our program in the near future.”