The South Sydney Rabbitohs are mourning the passing of our former first grade player in Bill Hilliard, who passed away on the weekend from a suspected heart attack, at the age of 69.
Mr Hilliard was born in 1952 in Sydney and played his junior football at Christian Brothers Lewisham. His father, who was also called Bill Hilliard, played for Wests Magpies in 1949-50.
When young Bill went to study at the University of NSW he joined their rugby league side and played for them in the Second Division premiership for three seasons. He was voted the second-best player in that competition for all three seasons. Eastern Suburbs signed him up as a local junior in 1976, where he played a couple of games for them in their Under-23s side.
The following season he played for Souths, where he made his first grade debut in Round 2 against Balmain, when he came on as a replacement for Herbie Timms. His player number on our First Grade Player Register is No. 629.
Mr Hilliard went on to play 5 games in first grade and 12 in reserve grade for the Rabbitohs in 1977, then moved to Balmain Tigers. He was working as a teacher at Balmain High School at the time. He captained Balmain to two reserve grade premiership victories in 1978 and 1982.
In 1983 he played his last season with Wests Magpies, where he also captained their first grade side in two games that year. He then retired from playing and was approached by Balmain to coach their third grade in 1984-87.
Mr Hilliard was also a much-loved deputy principal of Homebush Boys’ High School.
On behalf of everyone connected to the South Sydney Rabbitohs, we offer our deepest and most sincere condolences to the family and friends of Bill Hilliard.
