TERRY HILL DEAD, AGED 52: RUGBY LEAGUE CENTRE PASSED AWAY FROM HEART ATTACK

Former NSW and Australian Test centre Terry Hill has passed away from an apparent heart attack in the Philippines.

He was 52.

At the height of his powers, Hill was a physical centre, representing NSW in 14 Origin matches between 1993 and 2000.

He also notched up 11 tries across 13 appearances for the Kangaroos.

Hill played 246 first grade games for Souths, Easts, Wests, Manly and Wests Tigers between 1990 and 2003.

NRL and Manly Sea Eagles pay tribute to Terry Hill

"Terry was a much loved and respected figure at not only the Sea Eagles, but across rugby league, where he played for several clubs,'' Manly CEO Tony Mestrov said.

"On behalf of everyone at the Sea Eagles, we offer our deepest and sincere condolences to Terry's family and friends during this difficult time.

"Terry will always be fondly remembered at Manly."

Hill debuted for Manly in 1994 under Bob Fulton and went on to play 142 first grade games for the club.

In 1996 he won a premiership with the Sea Eagles, with his captain on that day, Geoff Toovey, paying his respects to his former teammate. 

"Terry was a great player for Manly,'' Toovey said.

"He was a good friend. He did a lot of good things for his team-mates. My sincere condolences to his family."

"Terry was the ultimate team man who you just loved playing with,'' Steve Menzies added. 

"His passion, determination, and aggression was second to none. At the peak of his career, Terry was one of the world's best centres."

Australian Rugby League Commission Chairman Peter V’landys also paid tribute to Hill. 

"Terry was a prodigiously talented footballer who burst onto the scene in first grade as a teenager and went on to represent Australia in nine Test matches as well as playing 14 Origin matches for NSW," V’landys said.

"As well as being one of the game’s great centres he was also one of its most popular characters, a giant personality who was universally loved by the players he played alongside over his long career in the top grade.

"Who can forget the hilarious skits on the Channel 9 Footy Show?"

There is no doubt Hill was an incredible rugby league player but perhaps his greatest gift was his Dapto Dogs Footy Show crosses.

Terry Hill's history with Greyhounds and Nads

While known for his outstanding rugby league career, Terry was also extremely passionate about his greyhounds, as an owner and a major supporter of the sport.

“Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW), and in fact the entire greyhound racing community, is deeply saddened today by this tragic news of the passing of Terry Hill,” GRNSW Chief Executive Officer Rob Macaulay said.

“Terry was one of the great assets of the greyhound industry. He has been a lifelong supporter of greyhound racing, has owned some wonderful champion greyhounds along the way, and more importantly, his passion for the sport was infectious.

“Terry had great enthusiasm for greyhound racing and was responsible for helping the sport to attract widespread media coverage in the 1990s with his live television crosses to Dapto on a Thursday night during the Channel Nine Footy Show to watch his greyhound Nads race.

“Years later Terry said he would be stopped on The Corso at Manly not to be asked about his football career, but to chat about Nads and the racetrack he loved, Dapto.

“Only last year Terry gave of his time to be on hand at Dapto to help GRNSW promote the Group 1 Megastar at that venue.

“On behalf of GRNSW and the entire greyhound community in NSW, I offer our deepest condolences to Terry’s family and his enormous group of friends.

“Terry Hill will be sorely missed.”

2024-04-24T04:50:43Z dg43tfdfdgfd