Former NRL player Terry Hill dies aged 52

Former Australian rugby league center Terry Hill has tragically passed away at the age of 52.

The former player for Manly, Wests Tigers, Wests, Souths, and Eastern Suburbs reportedly died from a heart attack in the Philippines.

Hill’s passing was confirmed to ABC Sport by the Manly Sea Eagles club via email.

Hill, aged 52, had a successful career in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys described Hill as universally loved by the rugby league community.

“Terry was a highly 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 State of Origin matches for New South Wales,” Mr V’landys stated.

“Not only was he one of the game’s outstanding centers, but he was also one of its most beloved personalities, a larger-than-life figure who was universally adored by the players he shared the field with throughout his lengthy career in the top tier,”

He participated in 246 first-grade games in Australia, represented New South Wales 14 times in State of Origin, and played for Australia nine times.

Hill made his debut in first grade in 1990 for Souths but spent most of his career with Manly.

He was part of the Sea Eagles team that won the 1996 ARL premiership.

He made his State of Origin debut for the Blues in Game III of the 1993 series before becoming a regular in the team in the late 1990s.

Hill was involved in one of Australian rugby league’s most iconic photos when he faced off against Queensland Maroons rival Gorden Tallis during Game II of the 1999 series.

Manly CEO Tony Mestrov paid tribute to Hill, expressing that he will be cherished by the Sea Eagles.

“Terry was a greatly adored and respected figure not only at the Sea Eagles but across the rugby league community, where he played for several clubs,” Mestrov remarked.

“On behalf of everyone at the Sea Eagles, we extend our deepest and heartfelt condolences to Terry’s family and friends during this challenging time.”

Hill’s former premiership captain Geoff Toovey also extended his sympathies.

“Terry was a fantastic player for Manly,” Toovey shared.

“He was a good friend who did many positive things for his teammates.”

Hill’s impact was not limited to rugby league.

He advocated for greyhound racing, leveraging his influence to support the sport during his playing days.

“Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW), and indeed the entire greyhound racing community, is deeply saddened today by this tragic news of Terry Hill’s passing,” GRNSW chief executive Rob Macaulay stated.

“Terry was one of the greatest assets of the greyhound industry. He was a lifelong supporter of greyhound racing, owned some remarkable champion greyhounds along the way, and most importantly, his enthusiasm for the sport was contagious.”