Fremantle signing: Dockers lock Stephen Hill away with new deal until 2019

FREMANTLE has locked away Stephen Hill until the end of the 2019 season after the exciting midfielder signed a long-term contract extension.

AFL Round 11: Western Bulldogs v Fremantle at Etihad Stadium. Stephen Hill gives Tom Liberatore the slip. Pic: Michael Klein. Saturday May 31, 2014.

FREMANTLE has locked away Stephen Hill until the end of the 2019 season after the exciting midfielder signed a long-term contract extension.

Hill, 24, was already contracted until the end of next year, but the Dockers added another four years, meaning he could be a Fremantle player for life.

Hill said he never had any intentions of leaving the club that drafted him as pick three in the 2008 draft.

“I just love the club and it’s really grown over the past few years,” Hill said.

“The future looks really good and I want to be a part of it.

Stephen Hill said he is happy to remain a Docker until at least 2019.

“The club’s been great to me and I’m happy to sign on for a couple more years.”

Fremantle general manager of player management Brad Lloyd said the club believed the best was still ahead of Hill, who had one of his best seasons this year.

“He has been a valuable player for the club for a number of years now with his running capacity, decision making and ball use and is still only 24 years of age,” Lloyd said.

“Stephen has some exciting years with Fremantle ahead of him.

Stephen Hill had one of his best seasons in 2014.

“We are a football club that puts a strong emphasis on player retention, so it has been a positive week for the club to have long-term commitments from two of our quality players in Michael Walters and now Stephen.”

Hill said the environment at Fremantle meant that he wanted to be a part of it for as long as he could.

“The playing group has formed a really close bond, we’re all good mates,” he said.

“The coaching staff is great, too. Ross (Lyon) has been great, he’s really helped the club out.

“I’m really looking forward to being a part of that for a few more years at least.”

Originally published as Fremantle signing: Dockers lock Stephen Hill away with new deal until 2019