WAFL 2025: Former BBL all-rounder Clint Hinchliffe on returning to footy and playing for Swan Districts

When Clint Hinchliffe earned his first rookie contract from WA Cricket in 2016, he never thought he’d lace up a pair of footy boots again, let alone find himself playing in the WAFL. A talented multi-sport athlete as a teenager, Hinchliffe had the choice of whether he wanted to pursue cricket or football at the highest level. Hawthorn showed interest in the then-West Perth midfielder, who has represented WA at the under-18 championships alongside Jake Waterman, Callum Ah Chee, and Sam Powell-Pepper. However, ultimately, the cricket contract took precedence, and so it prevailed. Hinchliffe would go on to play 27 Big Bash League games for the Perth Scorchers and Melbourne Stars, as well as one First Class game for WA, as a batting all-rounder who bowled left-arm wrist spin. “I love both sports, so it was whatever came first in a way, and my cricket for contract came first, so I was never going to say no either way,” he said. “Whatever popped up first, I was going to take that opportunity. I wanted to play professional sport. “I thought that cricket might’ve gone a different way, and I probably didn’t go as well as I thought I would. I thought my cricket career would last until I hung my boots up effectively.” Once Hinchliffe realised his dream of earning a Baggy Green was unlikely to be realised, the chance to play alongside his brother Connor at Ocean Ridge during the cricket off-season was too good to pass up, pulling on a jumper in 2021. Hinchliffe would play the last of his BBL games in January 2023, and while he still plays First Grade cricket for Mount Lawley, he decided to put more attention into his football, becoming a star in the Perth Football League. “Cricket was still my first priority, and I was still playing professionally, and even after I lost my contract, I was still hoping I would get back or force my way back in,” he said. “Footy for me was just going down the park, playing with my mates and my brother, and having a bit of fun. “Once I realised it (cricket) was over, I thought I’d get stuck back in, do it properly and play the highest level I can do.” The 29-year-old finished runner-up in the CJ Jamieson Medal for the fairest and best in the PFL A-Grade competition last year, prompting several WAFL clubs to vie for his signature. Swan Districts would ultimately win out, signing him as an out-of-the-box recruit who they hoped would help their developing list. “Ultimately, I like the way the club was going and the position they’re in. They were really good working through with my through cricket, it is still my priority during the year,” he said. “In the past, other clubs never let me do that, so that was probably the turn off from both angles, clubs didn’t like it.” Insiders have been impressed with Hinchliffe’s skills, having already established himself as one of the best kicks at Bassendean. “I back myself, and I trust my abilities. I am hoping to play a big part in us being successful and helping the boys in any way that I can,” he said. “It’s looking likely I will play a midfield, wing role, and hopefully my form can stay that way. I enjoy playing in the midfield; it has been my role all the way through junior footy up until now. “I like to think from back in the day, I do have a bit of high-level knowledge, and I love my footy, so I watch a lot of it. So I feel like I understand the game pretty well. “The hardest part for me was meeting new people, trying to fit in and with the limited training, trying to get used to my role and the way that they play, the way that all of the boys play. It’s been a quick turnaround, which has been the hardest part.”