Former AFL Player Removed from Local Footy Club Over Child Sex Charges

Former AFL player Josh Hill has been stood down by his local footy club after being charged with historic child sex offences in WA.

Watch every match of the 2025 AAMI Community Series Live & ad-break free during play, exclusive to FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer.

Hill, who played 66 games for the Western Bulldogs before adding 107 games at West Coast – including in their 2015 grand final, appeared in a Perth court over the weekend where he was not required to enter a plea to the seven charges.

The 36-year-old was released on bail before he’ll appear in court again in April.

In a statement released on Monday, the Point Cook Football Club confirmed they had parted ways with Hill – after only announcing his signature last month.

Josh Hill arrives at Eagles training.Source: News Corp Australia

“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,” the statement read.

“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“Josh Hill has been stood down as a senior player and we have rescinded his playing contract and his transfer from his previous club has been cancelled.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 further comment in relation to these charges while the matter is under police investigation and before the courts.”

Josh Hill snuggles up to the NAB Cup trophy after the Bulldogs’ victory in 2011.Source: News Corp Australia

According to The West Australian, Hill was required to surrender his passport and forfeit his working with children card to police as part of his $2000 surety bail conditions.

Hill had been on West Coast’s list at the time of the alleged offences, after being traded from the Bulldogs in October 2011.

It will be alleged some of the charges, including sexually penetrating a child over 13 and under 16, date back to December 2015 – only months after he won the Glendinning Medal for best on ground in a Western Derby, and just weeks after he played in the Eagles’ grand final loss to Hawthorn.

The one-time Rising Star nominee was later dumped from the Eagles’ list at the end of 2017.

The Herald Sun reports Hill has also been stood down from his role as youth co-ordinator for the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria after the charges were made public.

He’ll next appear in court in Broome in April.