NRL rocked by death of former NSW and Kangaroos centre Terry Hill at 52

The rugby league community is in mourning following the death of former NSW and Kangaroos star Terry Hill at the age of 52.

The rugby league community is in mourning following the death of former NSW and Kangaroos star Terry Hill at the age of 52.

The former NRL centre died due to a heart attack while in the Philippines.

Hill had reportedly been spending more time in the Philippines in recent years where he had been working with a charity.

The colourful NRL great played 246 first grade games after debuting with South Sydney in 1990. Hill won the 1996 premiership with Manly and retired in 2005.

He also featured in 15 Origins for NSW and had eight caps with the Kangaroos.

In a statement, the Manly Sea Eagles said they were “saddened to hear of the passing of former premiership winning centre Terry Hill”.

“Terry was a much loved and respected figure at not only at 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.”

Terry Hill was a cult hero during his playing days.

The Rabbitohs also issued a statement mourning Hill’s passing.

South Sydney’s statement said: “Despite being best known for his efforts at the Sea Eagles and in the representative arena, Mr Hill always spoke fondly of his time as a Rabbitohs player and his time playing in the South Sydney junior league, coming through the ranks to represent the Red and Greens in first grade as an 18-year-old.

“On behalf of everyone connected to the South Sydney Rabbitohs, we offer our deepest and most sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr Terry Hill.”

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 State of Origin matches for New South Wales,” Mr V’landys said.

John Hopoate (L) & Terry Hill celebrate Manly’s 1996 premiership.

“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?

“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 also expressed “deep shock and sadness following the news of the sudden passing of Terry Hill”.

“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,” the statement said.

“Terry was one of the great assets of the greyhound industry,” GRNSW Chief Executive Officer 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 Nine Footy Show to watch his greyhound Nads race.

Terry Hill during his playing days with Manly.

Hill was also beloved by the greyhound industry. Pic Nathan Edwards

“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.”

“He was a typical kid from Erskineville,” former Souths teammate Craig Coleman told The Daily Telegraph.

“Terry was a fantastic South Sydney junior and we looked after him when he came into grade.

“He was a tremendous footballer. I know his whole family. It’s very sad, devastating.”

Geoff Toovey, who captained Hill in Manly’s 1996 premiership victory, paid tribute 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 teammates. My sincere condolences to his family.”

Steve Menzies said he was shocked to hear of the passing of his former teammate.

“Terry was the ultimate team man who you just loved playing with,’’ Menzies said.

“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.”

Fox League’s Braith Anasta told news.com.au Hill made his presence known in one of his first ever games for the Bulldogs.

“He was scary to play against. It was quite the experience that game because I was the new, young buck on the scene.

“He kind of earmarked that I was his victim that night. I would go right to left (on the field) and he followed me. He was a big sledger. He was relentless on me. I remember it like it was yesterday.

“I loved the way he played. He was ferocious. And funny off the field, quite quirky and quick witted.

“It’s a sad day for rugby league. It’s a bit of a shock. Very sad.”

Originally published as NRL rocked by death of former NSW and Kangaroos centre Terry Hill at 52