Former AFL player Josh Hill stood down from footy club, Indigenous body after allegations of child sexual offences

An ex-AFL star charged with historic child sexual offences has been stood down from the state’s Indigenous body and has had his contract to play local footy in Melbourne torn up.

Josh Hill has been released by Point Cook.

Former AFL forward Josh Hill has been stood down from being the youth co-ordinator of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria and has had his contract torn up by his local footy club after he was charged with alleged child sex offences.

The state’s peak Indigenous body has moved to cut ties with the former Western Bulldogs and West Coast player, who has been in the key role interacting with minors since February 2023.

Hill, who recently changed his surname to Carter, had signed with Point Cook in the Western Football Netball League and over the weekend was charged over the alleged incidents.

The 36-year-old appeared in a WA court on Saturday.

He was facing charges including four counts of sexually penetrating a child over 13 and under 16.

On Monday morning, Point Cook confirmed it had parted ways with the former grand final player.

“The Point Cook Football Club’s Executive were yesterday made aware of developments and met this morning in relation to senior men’s player Josh Hill; including that he has been charged by Western Australian Police with offences that are now before the courts,” a club statement said.

“This is a very serious matter and it is being treated as such by the club.

“Josh Hill has been stood down as a senior player and we have rescinded his playing contract and his transfer from his previous club has been cancelled.

“The club acknowledges the importance of the presumption of innocence in this case and also the need to treat all parties with respect and understanding.

“It is now important that the legal process be allowed to run its course and as such the club cannot and will not make any further comment in relation to these charges while the matter is under police investigation and before the courts.”

Point Cook had announced the signing of Hill last month but the social media post has now been removed.

On Monday, a First People’s Assembly of Victoria spokesperson said immediate action had been taken.

“We have been informed of a matter involving serious interstate criminal charges relating to an employee. We are very concerned about this news. The employee has been stood down immediately,” they said.

Mr Hill was hired as the Youth Voice co-ordinator in February 2023.

The Assembly spokesperson said there had been no knowledge of allegations against Mr Hill.

“We were not aware of these charges until now, we understand they relate to alleged events in 2015. Assembly staff have been informed.”

Hill played 173 games in his AFL career after being drafted by the Dogs with the 61st pick in the 2006 national draft.

He was traded to the Eagles at the end of the 2011 season and went onto play 106 games for the club including the 2015 grand final loss against Hawthorn.

The matter has been adjourned to April 14.