As the Club’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round clash with Euro-Yroke (St Kilda) approaches on Friday 22 May at Optus Stadium, Walyalup great Stephen Hill and his brother - and current Euro-Yroke/former Walyalup and Hawthorn player - Brad Hill have reflected on their AFL journeys and the time they spent playing together for Walyalup.
Both are contributors to their respective Club’s 2026 Indigenous jumper designs, with Walyalup’s artwork by Mariah Yarran in collaboration with Club great Stephen Hill, and Euro-Yroke's designed by 11-year-old Noongar-Yamatji artist Jed Bennell to honour Bradley Hill's journey.
The Hill brothers said reflecting on their time playing both against and alongside each other are memories that will last a lifetime.
“Still a special moment for me,” Brad Hill said.
“It was a long time ago, but I remember that once I got to the AFL, I always wanted to play footy with my big brother.
“When I got the opportunity to move back to Perth and play alongside him, it was an awesome feeling to be able to do that for the first time.
“Looking back at my career, that’s a time I’ll always cherish.”
For Stephen, after playing 12 seasons on Walyalup’s list - including against his brother Brad in the 2013 Grand Final - rekindling their connection on the football field, one that had developed years earlier in the backyard as kids, when Brad joined Walyalup was a pivotal moment in his journey.
“I think the support was stronger (when Brad joined),” Stephen said.
“Obviously he’d been away in Victoria at Hawthorn for a few years, and to have him back and build that connection again, along with Sonny (Michael Walters), meant a lot.
“Some of the best times we had at that club, all the laughs we shared, some really special moments.”
Speaking on the 2013 Grand Final, when the two brothers faced one another on opposing teams, Stephen remarked that while the loss for Walyalup was devastating, he also felt a profound sense of pride for Brad who tasted ultimate success in just his second AFL season.
“I gave him nothing before the game but I remember leading into it that it was a special moment that we got to play against each other,” Stephen said.
“During the lead-up to the game, when we actually lined up, I was just focused on what I had to do for the team and didn’t want to give anything away to him.
“Obviously, at the end, I was super proud of him and disappointed at the same time.”
“The Grand Final that we got to play in against each other was special,” Brad said.
“For me, to run out there and be able to play against my brother, and for our family to see both of us on different teams facing each other, was really special.
“Looking back now, I wish I could have given my brother one (a premiership) on the day.”
Walyalup and Euro-Yroke will face off in Round 11 as part of Walyalup’s home Sir Doug Nicholls Round game at Optus Stadium, with the match commencing at 6.30pm WST.
