Matt Hilder Explained

Matt Hilder
Fullname:Matthew Hilder[1]
Birth Date:1982 4, df=yes
Birth Place:Sutherland, New South Wales, Australia
Height:183cm (72inches)
Weight:95kg (209lb)
Club1:Cronulla Sharks
Year1start:2003
Year1end:06
Appearances1:81
Tries1:19
Goals1:29
Fieldgoals1:0
Points1:134
Club2:Gold Coast Titans
Year2start:2007
Appearances2:19
Tries2:1
Goals2:0
Fieldgoals2:0
Points2:4
Club3:Newcastle Knights
Year3start:2008
Year3end:13
Appearances3:101
Tries3:13
Goals3:1
Fieldgoals3:0
Points3:54
Retired:yes
Source:[2]
Updated:29 November 2019

Matt Hilder (born 30 April 1982) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 2000s and 2010s. He played for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, Gold Coast and Newcastle Knights in the National Rugby League. He primarily played at and . Throughout his playing career he was known by two nicknames: Trouble,[3] and Waltzing (as in "Waltzing Matilda").[4] [5]

Background

Hilder was born in Sutherland, New South Wales, Australia. He played his junior football for the Cronulla-Caringbah before being signed by Cronulla-Sutherland.

Playing career

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks

In round 1 of the 2003 NRL season, Hilder made his NRL debut for Cronulla-Sutherland against the Melbourne Storm scoring a try in a 32-36 loss. In his four years at Cronulla, Hilder played in one finals campaign which came in the 2005 NRL season. Cronulla were eliminated in the first week by rivals St George.[6]

Gold Coast Titans

After four seasons of first-grade with Cronulla, Hilder joined the Gold Coast Titans for their inaugural season, signing a 1-year contract starting in 2007. He was a regular in first-grade, but left the club at the end of the season.

Newcastle Knights

In 2008, Hilder joined the Newcastle Knights.

In 2010, Hilder won the Knights' Player of the Year award for being one of the most hardworking and consistent players in the team.[7]

On 6 September 2013, Hilder re-signed with the Knights on a 1-year contract.[8]

A few days after re-signing, Hilder made a return to first-grade — after being seldom used by Knights coach Wayne Bennett since early 2012 — in time to play all three of the Knights' finals games and scoring a try in his 100th Knights game and 200th NRL game against the Melbourne Storm.[9] These were the final few first-grade games of his career.

At the end of 2013, Hilder won the Knights' New South Wales Cup Players' Player award.[10]

In September 2014, Hilder announced his retirement from rugby league, finishing up with 201 NRL appearances.[11]

Representative football

In July 2013, Hilder played for the New South Wales Residents against the Queensland Residents.[12]

Controversy

On 10 September 2006, Hilder threw a plastic chair at a man during an argument, causing head injuries. Hilder was fined $1,000.[13] [14]

Personal life

Hilder has a wife, Natalie and three children: two daughters, Indy and Eden, and a son, Sunny.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Player statistics for Matthew Hilder - FOX SPORTS PULSE. dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140924040525/http://www.foxsportspulse.com/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=192264008&client=1-5952-76257-157265-15006715 . 24 September 2014 .
  2. Web site: Matt Hilder - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project. www.rugbyleagueproject.org. 2019-11-29.
  3. Web site: Australian Breaking News Headlines & World News Online SMH.com.au.
  4. https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/waltzing-matt-hilders-fresh-start/news-story/51f7206b130314078d8c0919711215c6?sv=dc57f638d484e5d1b8a43a71ba50f0f6 de Kroo, Karl, "Waltzing Matt Hilder's fresh start", heraldsun.com, 24 March 2007
  5. Web site: FitzSimons. Peter. The wisdom and wit of nicknames. FairfaxDigital.
  6. Web site: Dragons survive Sharks scare. ABC.
  7. Web site: 2010 PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Newcastle Knights . 2010-10-09 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110728093233/http://www.newcastleknights.com.au/default.aspx?s=article-display&id=31114&title=2010-player-of-the-year . 28 July 2011 . dmy-all .
  8. Web site: Hilder, Tahu, Quinn and Newton for 2014 - Newcastle Knights . 2013-09-06 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131016022850/http://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news-display/Hilder-Tahu-Quinn-and-Newton-for-2014/83845 . 16 October 2013 .
  9. Web site: Hilder has an impact in milestone match.
  10. Web site: Matt Hilder - Knights . 2014-03-20 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140320201305/http://www.newcastleknights.com.au/team/profiles/matt-hilder.html . 20 March 2014 . dmy-all .
  11. Web site: In the sheds: Hilder and Redman - Knights.
  12. Web site: VB NSW Cup Rep Squad named - NSWRL . 2016-04-19 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304055919/http://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2013/07/07/vb-nsw-cup-rep-squad-named.html . 4 March 2016 . dmy-all .
  13. News: fee required. The Age. NRL's Hilder fined $1,000 over assault. 2007-11-13. 1 November 2006.
  14. Web site: NRL's Hilder fined $1,000 over assault. Sydney Morning Herald.