Hill made 246 first-grade appearances during spells at Manly,Wests Tigers,Western Suburbs,Eastern Suburbs and South Sydney. It is understood he passed away after a heart attack.
Champion rugby league player of the 90s Terry Hill has died of a suspected heart attack in the Philippines.
Hill played 14 State of Origin matches for NSW and also represented the Kangaroos on nine occasions.
Terry Hill playing for Manly in his final NRL season in 2005.Getty
Hill and Fulton received character references from radio broadcasters Alan Jones and Ray Hadley,as well as swimming icon Dawn Fraser.
Former Australian representative and Manly player David Gillespie was in the Philippines with Hill at a fundraiser last week.
“Only a few days ago he was fine,” Gillespie said. “He was the life of the party. He MC’d the day and had everyone in stitches – his usual self – and was quite funny and entertained everyone from the afternoon,and that’s the last memories I’ve got of him.
“I stayed a couple more days after that and we had a few beers together the next day.
“We both went over to Manly at the same time. Terry was tough,uncompromising,he was a sledger but he could take it and give it ... he was a tough player. He was a great footballer.”
Ken Arthurson,known as the “Godfather of Manly”,said he was extremely saddened by Hill’s passing.
“I did have a lot to do with him,he was a great footballer,” Arthurson said. “I saw a great deal in him as a player and he was a really,really good footballer.
“The time he was with Manly,I found him a really good bloke as well. He did a great job for Manly and he’s very highly regarded in that area. He’s certainly very,very highly regarded by me.”
He retired from the NRL in 2005 and was a well-liked character in the game.
In late 2005,Hill and Scott Fulton – the son of league great Bob Fulton – in Gosford Local Court to interfering with seven lobster traps on the Hawkesbury River belonging to a commercial fisherman.
The pair were fined $2550 each,and paid more than $4500 in legal expenses.
At 19,Hill and other players took NSW Rugby League to court and won.
Terry Hill has died aged 52.Getty
Hill had agreed to play for Western Suburbs but was drafted by the Roosters as part of the league’s new draft system. He and 126 other plaintiffs successfully won their case in the High Court after arguing the draft was a restraint of trade.
Hill was involved in a famous State of Origin moment with Queensland great Gorden Tallis in 1999.
The pair grabbed each other in a bitter scuffle at a play the ball before coming face-to-face in the heat of the battle.
Hill enjoyed a post-football career in the media and was a larger-than-life figure in the game.
Manly chief executive Tony Mestrov said in a statement:“Terry was a much loved and respected figure at not only the Sea Eagles,but across rugby league,where he played for several clubs.
“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.”
Geoff Toovey,who was Hill’s captain in Manly’s 1996 premiership side,paid tribute to his former teammate.
“Terry was a great player for Manly,” Toovey said in a statement provided by Manly. “He was a good friend. He did a lot of good things for his teammates. My sincere condolences to his family.”
Manly great Steve Menzies added:“Terry was the ultimate team man who you just loved playing with. His passion,determination and aggression was second to none. At the peak of his career,Terry was one of the world’s best centres.
“My thoughts and condolences are with his family and friends.”
ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys described Hill as a “prodigiously talented footballer”.
“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,” V’landys said. “Who can forget the hilarious skits on the Channel NineFooty Show?
“On behalf of the commission,I extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to Terry’s family,and all those who knew him.”
Greyhound Racing NSW released a statement on Wednesday afternoon after news of his death.
“Terry was one of the great assets of the greyhound industry,” GRNSW chief
executive Rob Macaulay said. “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 NineFooty Show to watch his greyhound Nads race.
“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.”
Queensland Maroons great Darryl Brohman wrote on X:“This is so sad. Originally,I had my doubts as to if I liked him or not. However once I spent time with him at both Lowes andThe Footy Show my respect for him grew. He was a larrikin but deep down a good guy.”
Wests Tigers life member and former teammate John Skandalis said:“Hill had an infectious energy. Terry was larger than life,had a big personality,and always brought energy to the team. He was a great player and will be forever remembered by his former teammates.”
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