Burleigh’s Matt Hilton discusses horrific grand final injury & his Gold Coast Premier League future

BURLEIGH Heads captain Matt Hilton has given an update on his horrific grand final injury and whether he will play on in next year’s Gold Coast Premier League.

BURLEIGH Heads captain Matt Hilton is determined not to let his horrific grand final injury put an end to his Gold Coast Premier League career, declaring his intention to play on next season.

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The future of the Premier League’s MVP and Golden Boot winner has been under a cloud since shattering his jaw and losing four teeth in the Bulldogs’ 3-0 grand final-win over Surfers Paradise on September 14, with the 33-year-old far from out of the woods in his recovery.

After undergoing an initial bout of surgery to reinforce his jaw with two metal plates, Hilton was forced into a second, less invasive operation on October 2 to increase mobility in the joint.

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However, it has had little impact and he will remain on pureed food until the end of the week, with an MRI now booked on November 12 to try and diagnose the lack of movement in his jaw.

While he is attempting to bring that scan forward, the former Australian under-17 striker has lost almost 10kg from his 75kg frame and still faces additional procedures in the coming months to fix his teeth.

Burleigh Heads captain Matt Hilton celebrates his opening goal in the 2019 Gold Coast Premier League grand final against Surfers Paradise. Picture: Ryan Kazmer/East End Digital

But the competitive spirit within him remains as strong as ever, with his sights firmly set on helping Burleigh defend their dual titles in 2020.

“Everyone I talk to is asking (about next year) but I’d love to be playing again. I don’t want to go out on that note,” Hilton said.

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“There’s definitely a chance I will play again but there’s still a lot going on. I’ve got to deal with my jaw and then they’ve got to fix my teeth.

“I’ve got a baby due late March, early April (so) early next year I will see how things are going. I really want to play again.”

Hilton has been blessed throughout his long and illustrious career on the Coast, with a knee complaint during his formative years the only thing to sideline him for an extended period.

He described this injury as “definitely my biggest one by far” but said he was slowly slipping back into old routines.

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“I’m getting back to work doing a few days. When I had the second operation it was to try and manipulate all the joints because I’m meant to be able to open my mouth and I can’t,” he said.

“I don’t have pain any more but it just feels uncomfortable inside my mouth. I don’t have much energy, I seem to fade out pretty quick. (But) definitely the last week has been better.”