Could Dyson Hilder’s relationship with coach Ken Hinkley see him drafted by the Power
North Adelaide’s Dyson Hilder has unique football bloodlines that could see him wind up at the Power.
Draft news
Don't miss out on the headlines from Draft news. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Revealed: Buckenara’s top 50 draft prospects
- How to get the most out of your Advertiser digital subscription
Dyson Hilder is hoping Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has a fair say in the club’s draft selections this week.
If so, the 195cm North Adelaide key defender might find himself at the Power.
In a unique draft story, Hilder has strong AFL bloodlines.
He is a second cousin to Hinkley, last year’s AFL Rising Star, Carlton’s Sam Walsh, and Geelong forward Gary Rohan.
Stream over 50 sports Live & On-Demand with KAYO SPORTS on your TV, computer, mobile or tablet. Just $25/month, no lock-in contract. Get your 14-day free trial and start streaming instantly >
“It’s a pretty cool family tree and something I’ve only found out about in recent times,’’ said Hilder, a vice-captain of this year’s South Australian under-18 team.
“I got told about Gary when he started playing for Sydney (in 2010), Ken when he was appointed Port coach (in 2013) and Sam just before he was drafted by Carlton (last year).
“There is a diverse range there but it’s good to have them as part of the family, even if they are distant relations.’’
The relationships are on Hilder’s dad David’s side of the family.
Hilder, 18, has met Hinkley but hasn’t had too much to do with him and he’s not sure whether their relationship will help his chances of being drafted to the Power.
“I’m hoping it might, but who knows?,’’ said Hilder.
“I’m not sure how much say he will get in who Port picks, so we’ll wait to see how the draft pans out.’’
Hilder is almost certain to be claimed in the national draft.
He has spoken to every AFL club and is a strong, lockdown key defender who can be trusted with blanketing an opposition key forward.
But he also has the versatility to be swung forward, pinch-hit in the ruck or even play in bursts as a tall midfielder.
Hilder models his game on GWS co-captain Phil Davis – “I love the way he is able to lock down on players,’’ he said – and also tries to learn from the way star Richmond defender Alex Rance and Essendon’s Cale Hooker go about it.
“I like their bodywork and also the fact Hooker can go forward and kick goals,’’ he said.
“I’m a very team oriented player who just wants to do my job for the team.
“If that’s just making sure I beat my man, then that’s what I’ll do, but if I need to set up the offence and get really aggressive with winning the ball, then that’s fine too.
“I feel I can take on team structures really well and change my game to do what’s required, that I’m a versatile player who has a lot of strings to his bow.’’
Hilder – deputy head prefect at Blackfriars Priory School last year – was once a star soccer striker and did not start playing competitive football until he was 14.
Measuring 183cm at age 14, he said he was a head taller than any of his opponents and scored six goals in one game for Raiders.
“I was a bit like Peter Crouch (201cm former English Premier League striker), where it was a matter of my teammates just trying to put the ball on my head and then trying to knock it into the net,’’ Hilder said.
When he turned to football and joined Walkerville’s under-14s, one of Hilder’s teammates was top SANFL draft prospect Dylan Stephens, who is tipped to be the first SANFL player chosen on Wednesday night.
Born a stone’s throw away from Prospect Oval to a Victorian-born father and Queensland-born mother, Hilder has been described by SA under-18 coach Tony Bamford as “an exceptional leader”.
“He’s big and strong, can intercept the ball in the air and I love the way he defends one-on-one,’’ Bamford said.
“Dyson can shut down players and I know the AFL loves stats but I still see being able to take a player out of the game as being a very important part of AFL football.
“Aerially he is very good and while he needs to work on his ground level skills, he knows that and will improve that part of his game.’’