Hillier, 23, has been at Riverina League club Coolamon since 2018 but with partner Sarah Hooper taking on Coleambally's A grade netball coaching role, and his brother co-coaching the football side, he's also on board at the Blues.

"I played with Luke when we played for Cobar Blues, back when I was 16 so a few years ago now," Hillier said.

"That's one of the things I've always wanted to do was get back and play with him so it was a pretty easy decision to make.

"It'll be good to be back playing together. It's something everyone wants to do, play with your brothers, and something I've wanted to do for a while."

Hillier's football CV includes a season at Wodonga Raiders in 2017 after a strong year with Cardiff in Newcastle's Black Diamond League.

As a teenager, he won the club best-and-fairest at Cardiff, and played for the Black Diamond representative team which beat the Farrer League in 2016.

Six years on, a new challenge beckons in the Farrer League for Hillier, who will add speed to the Blues' midfield.

"I've been involved since Luke went out there, going to watch on the odd occasion when Coolamon had the bye and stuff so I know some of the fellas," he said.

"I expect it to be as good as RFL. It'll be tough, and I'm looking forward to the contest. The competition is definitely very strong, very even all across the board. You don't know who's going to win and who's not going to win. You've got to turn up on the day."

The Blues have also signed defender Kyle Pete from Leeton-Whitton as they seek to strengthen their side all over the ground, and more signings are expected in the coming week.

While Coleambally's 2021 season was a disappointment, Luke Hillier left nothing behind in his own game and won the club best-and-fairest (as well as finishing equal third in the league medal).

His younger brother hopes to play a part in making sure there are more wins to celebrate next season.

"He was in real good form I think, hitting his straps at the moment, he's got to that age," he said.

"He had a fairly big pre-season so that sort of helped. He'd rather have team success than individual success so that's what he's going for next year.

"Hopefully we can get a few early wins on the board and not have as many injuries as last year."

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