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Terry Hill death leaves rugby league world rocked as tributes flow from NRL fans

The rugby league great was adored right across the sport.

Riley Morgan
·Sports Reporter
·4-min read

The NRL community has been rocked by the death of rugby league great Terry Hill at the age of 52 after he reportedly died of a heart attack. Hill was a great of the sport in the 90s having played 14 State of Origin games for the Blues and representing the Kangaroos on nine occasions.

The enigmatic centre played for a number of clubs in his 246-game career with most of them for the Manly Sea Eagles between 1994-1999. A cult hero among rugby league fans, Hill spent regular time in the Philippines in recent years.

Terry Hill runs the ball and Hill smiles.
The NRL community has been rocked after the death of rugby league great Terry Hill at the age of 52. (Getty Images)

Hill spent time travelling back and forth between Asia and Sydney. The 52-year-old was an extremely popular figure during his time in the game and made regular appearances on the Channel Nine Footy Show, which endeared him to the rugby league community.

Hill was also a passionate greyhound racing fan and had plenty to do with the sport. He joined Manly in 1994 from the Western Suburbs Magpies. He was part of the dominant Manly mid-90s team and won a premiership at the club in 1996. He scored 89 tries during his career as a strong-running back.

Terry Hill poses for a photo.
Terry Hill played nine games for the Kangaroos. (Clive Brunskill via Getty Images)

Manly CEO Tony Mestrov made a statement for the club great after the news rocked the sport. "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 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 in State of Origin.
Terry Hill in action for NSW in 1998. (David Rogers via Getty Images)

Hill played 246 games with Souths Sydney, Eastern Suburbs, Western Suburbs, Manly and the Wests Tigers during his illustrious career. He made his first grade debut for South Sydney in 1990. His face-to-face showdown with Maroons legend Gorden Tallis in 1999 is one of the most famous images in State of Origin history.

While the rugby league world mourned, his presence in the greyhound racing community was also huge. Both sports have been rocked by the news and paid tributes to the Manly great.

Hill retired from the NRL in 2005 and had a brief stint in rugby union. He then turned to coaching rugby league in Umina. The 52-year-old spent regular time in the Philippines recently, before the tragic heart attack on Wednesday.