When Billy Hartung was 14 years old he set a Mornington Peninsula Junior Football League record for most goals kicked in a single game, kicking 20 goals straight while playing for the Red Hill under-14s against Dromana.

Selected an All-Australian at under-18 level in 2013, Hartung attended the AFL Draft Combine in October 2013 when he ran a 16.6 beep test, breaking (future teammate) Bradley Hill’s record of 16.1.

[3] He started 2014 developing in the VFL playing for Hawthorn's reserve affiliate side Box Hill.

Good form lead to his promotion and senior debut against St Kilda.

His dash and consistency earned him a 2015 AFL Rising Star nominee after a round seven match against Melbourne.