When Ross Lyon returned to St Kilda, the coach was spotted tenderly cradling Bradley Hill's first-born child, Harriet, with the right hand while the left was gripped over his player's shoulder like family.

The most caring of images perpetuated the once publicly grumpy boss into a cuddlier version of a man that has reached the AFL grand final on four occasions and walked away defeated in every way.

But Hill explains Lyon has cared more than most have – akin to a father figure – after getting the best out of his chaotic career across the West Australian's three AFL clubs.

"It's been awesome," Hill recently told CODE sports.

"I probably struggled a bit the last couple of years.

"Having Ross back, I sort of got the love for the game again.

"I'm really enjoying having Ross back.

"I've had a pretty good relationship with him when he wasn't at the club, and I have always stayed connected with him.

"It's been unreal having him back."

Hill joined Fremantle in Lyon's sixth season, but left after three years for St Kilda just weeks after the coach's tenure at his own second club was coincidentally ending.

The leading Saints boom recruit in the 2020 offseason that included first cousin Paddy Ryder departing Alberton for Moorabbin after five years for Port Adelaide had come with high expectations.

Lyon felt for his former star's struggles and once stood up on national TV to defend Hill's output against critics, suggesting the Saints had to give Hill more of the ball.

The Noongar man is now tallying up his best matchday statistics since his last year at the Dockers, averaging 22 possessions in St Kilda's opening four wins as his confident run-and-carry is back off the wing.

"I feel like I probably let a bit of the pressure from the outside noise get to me," Hill said.

"I probably got to the point where I sort of was not really enjoying it and didn't really want to play too much.

"I've found that love again, putting a lot of extra time into things with my mental prep and all that sort of stuff, doing a lot of meditation.

"A bit of change and whatnot, and just changed my mindset."

There had been some off-season interest from North Melbourne for the playmaker.

Hill somewhat cooled the advances – and at Alastair Clarkson's own call, the prospect of reuniting with the inaugural AFL coach.

"I don't think there was any chance I was going to leave," Hill said.

"There was a little bit of noise there, but nothing went too far ahead."

At the time, Lyon had yet been appointed ahead of Brett Ratten's shock axing since his contract was extended midyear when the Saints held an imposing 8-3 win/loss record.

But undoubtedly the 29-year-old was ecstatic to welcome Lyon back after exiting the club suddenly in 2011, weeks before Hill was drafted into Clarkson's Hawthorn reign.

That's not suggesting that the relationship is what coach Wayne Bennett was to Darius Boyd after the rugby league player followed the coach three times from one NRL club to another.

But the experiment of Hill reverting back to the half-back flank was pretty much over since Lyon's late arrival in favour of Indigenous teammate Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera taking to that role as a vacant wing opened up again.

"I think I'll play a little bit of wing and little bit of high half-forward," Hill said.

"I've played most of my career there, so I sort of know that role.

"I feel like I've still got some of my best footy ahead of me."