Last Sunday, Damon Hill walked to the middle of Peter Motley Oval just before the start of Adelaide’s SANFL clash with Sturt for the coin toss.

This was a big deal for a member of the SANFL Crows development squad, with a number of AFL-listed teammates warming up behind him.

22-year-old Hill has earned his spot in the leadership group through the dedication and standard he has set at training during his last two seasons in the development squad.

Hill’s focus wasn’t on Aussie Rules as a kid growing up, but on motocross. It wasn’t until he stopped competing as a 17-year-old did he start playing regular football for Torrens Valley in the Hills Football League.

Five years later, Hill’s journey has taken him to West Lakes, with the opportunity coming as a result of a scroll through Facebook.

“Football turned into my major focus and since then I’ve been putting everything I have into trying to play as high as I can,” Hill said.

“I was going through Facebook and I saw an ad from the Adelaide Football Club looking for players for the development squad.

“I applied, went to training, made it to the final cut and I have been there ever since.”

This season, Hill was named in the leadership group, which will rotate its captain weekly including AFL-listed players Alex Keath, Tom Doedee, Reilly O’Brien, Paul Hunter and Cam Ellis-Yolmen.

Hill wasn’t expecting to be named in the leadership group, nor was it something he had thought about.

However, when State League coach Ryan O’Keefe called him up to tell him, he understood why.

“When ‘ROK’ gave me the call, he said one of the main reasons was that I am always setting the tone at training, setting the standard,” he said.

“I am just taking it in my stride and trying to continue that.

“I’m excited about it; it is unique but I’m not going to say no if the coaches want to give you a crack at being a leader.”

Hill’s involvement with the development squad is something which makes his family proud.

“The whole family are pretty rapt about the situation,” Hill said.

“Being on a Crows list of some sort and having that leadership role, it’s not something everyday people get a chance to take on.

“But I have got the support from family and friends and coaches and players, so I’m looking to grow as a leader throughout the year.”

After two losses to start the season, Hill and the rest of the SANFL team will be looking to bounce back against South Adelaide in Round Three.

The game is at 2.10pm on Saturday afternoon, at Hickinbotham Oval.