Coles First Nations Pathways profile: Matt Hill

After Melbourne Storm returned to AAMI Park for the Club’s acknowledgment of Indigenous Round, melbournestorm.com.au are profiling three junior Indigenous players taking part in the Coles First Nations Pathway in 2023.

For the third consecutive year the Coles’ program has provided aspiring Indigenous athletes with support, helping them realise their dreams of becoming a future NRL player.

Complimenting the program’s focus on education, employment and health and wellbeing outcomes, this year's up-and-comers have integrated into the new Storm Academy, undertaking training and development led by coach Matt Duffie, while also featuring in Storm’s Jersey Flegg U21s squad.

One of the three young members is Matt Hill. A 19-year-old fullback hailing from Katherine in the Northern Territory, Matt is a naturally gifted player that showcased huge potential when he competed with the Central QLD Capras U18s, ending the season as one of the best fullbacks in the competition.

After nearly eight months supported by the Coles program and Storm Academy, Duffie shared just how much the fullback has grown throughout his time in purple.

“Matt is a very likeable kid and brings a bit of fun and connection to the group,” Duffie shared.

“When he came down it was a steep learning curve for him with the way we train.

“Coming straight from school he struggled a bit at the start, but to his credit he dug in and has improved with his training application. He has also matured a lot more in the way he communicates.”

The adjustment from school to rugby league training can be tough on it’s own, let alone the added stress of adjusting to the hustle of moving to a new city like Melbourne.

However, the former Storm player, now mentor shares this hurdle has been a positive learning opportunity for the 19-year-old.

“Matt is now settled into the routine of life down here and is working at RedZed (Storm’s Major Partner) which I think has positively impacted him,” Duffie said.

“NRL preseason is not easy, but to Matts credit, even if he had a tough day on the field he would always turn up the next day with a smile on his face, ready to go again.

“It doesn’t seem like much flusters him.”

Scoring eight tries in the Storm Jersey Flegg side and only halfway through the season, Hill has become a reliable scorer for the junior contingent.

“He has been consistent and improving each week,” Duffie added.

On-field he has a lot of X-factor and can do things that not a lot of other players can. He has a great sense for the game.

“He has had a solid season so far and I feel we will see the best out of him at the back end of the season.”

While consistent games and employment education and opportunities have been invaluable to Matt, there’s nothing quite like training with NRL players that gets the motivation going.

“The NRL boys have rallied around them both on and off the field,” Duffie said.

“The lessons they learn from the day-to-day interactions with our NRL players have been invaluable for them. You can see the growth in them as people and players from this.”

Watch Matt in action this Sunday as the Jersey Flegg squad take on the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks U21s on Gosch’s Paddock from 1.30pm, ahead of Round 15 NRL game at AAMI Park!