FOOTBALL fans, no less Gold Coast fans, can thank the 2018 AFL Grand Final for Archie Hill‘s love of the game. After being “glued to the TV” for West Coast’s dramatic defeat of Collingwood, the mad Geelong fan and nephew of Cameron Mooney is well on his way to reaching the big leagues.

Hill, a standout and leader of the Suns Academy, played on the hallowed MCG turf during last year’s National Futures game. He has trained with the senior Suns and saw many former teammates be drafted last year, which has fostered a hunger to follow the same trail in 2026.

We sat down for an interview with Hill at the Suns Academy’s preseason testing combine on Sunday.

Q&A

Q: Archie, can you walk me through your footy journey and how you got to where you are now?

AH: I started Auskick at five and then just played footy, but really fell in love with the game at about 10. I think it was after watching that 2018 Grand Final, I was just glued to the TV, I was like ‘yeah, I want to do this for my career’ hopefully. I made rep teams, have been in the Suns Academy since I was 12 and have loved every bit of it.

Q: With so many Suns Academy graduates going on to play AFL, what has that feeling been like for you?

AH: It’s unreal. Because we all do all the hard work behind the scenes and playing junior footy with those blokes or against them at club level [has] just been unreal. Credit to them, they put the work in and we’ve created a really high performance environment down there for success.

Q: Did you get to spend a bit of time with the senior boys as well?

AH: I did, I did a week before Christmas and then I did some match-sim the other day and they’re looking really good. It’s an unreal environment. ‘Dimma’ has been amazing. He’s a really great mentor as well, and someone to look up to. The boys are fit and firing.

Q: How’d it feel for you being out there during match-sim and training?

AH: Obviously at the start I was like, ‘oh, this is a dream come true’. Training with Brownlow Medallists, Norm Smith Medallists, all these guys I’ve looked up to. It gives you a bit of a taste of what you can do. It’s made me really hungry because I want do that for the rest of my life and it’s amazing just to see them at work, doing what they love.

Q: What about the trip over to New Zealand with the AFL Academy?

AH: That was an unreal trip. It was the first time in a couple decades they did an overseas trip (with the Academy). It was really good just to meet all the other boys from around the country and just to know that you’re part of the best. I really learned some good things about football and the culture there and it was a really great trip.

Q: In terms of your role this year, where do you think you’ll slot in across each program?

AH: I’m not sure what I’m going to be doing between all the other teams, but probably or preferably half-back. I feel like I play my best footy there. I feel like I get the best out of myself and the team playing half-back from a leadership perspective as well. From the Sun’s perspective in the praccy matches we’ll flirt with a bit of mid and half-back, probably an even split. But most likely for the season it’ll be half-back.

Q: Can you talk through a few of your strengths, and then some things you’re still looking to improve on?

AH: Obviously just my run-and-carry, and my work rate is something I pride myself on. Also my leadership, I feel like when I play back we all stand a bit taller with my direction and clean skills. Something I’m still working on is my first three steps at a stoppage, just to get that real gap on my opponent. Also my one-on-one marking and bit of my bodywork stuff.

Q: Do you tend to watch a lot of football?

AH: Oh, I love it. I’m addicted… I’m a big Cats man. Dad went for Geelong, but also my uncle is Cameron Mooney, he married my dad’s sister.

Q: Have you seen any of your uncle’s highlights?

AH: I give it to him all the time because he missed a goal in ‘08 from the goalsquare. He was a menace back in the day and his brother Jason was a menace as well. But yeah, we have a good laugh about it. He’s been very good to me as well just with little tips here and there about the [big] leagues and what it takes to get there.

Q: Is there one piece of advice in particular that has stuck with you?

AH: Just that you’re young, so really enjoy the experience and just train your ass off because you only get one shot at it. That’s the biggest thing he’s given me and I’ll be taking that on.

Q: What kind of goals have you set out to achieve this year?

AH: Obviously I just want to play some consistent and good footy over the year. I love winning, so whether it’s for the Suns, Allies, or AFL Academy I just want to win and obviously play well in all those games, then the end goal is to get drafted.

Q: Which teammate you think we should look out for to have a big season?

AH: A [bottom-ager] Taj Murray, he’s been flying on the track. Brother of Jai. He’s looking fit, he’s put on a bit of size so look out for him.