Terry Hill's life in pictures: Moment that cemented cult hero status for rugby league legend

The rugby league community has been rocked by the sudden death of premiership winner, cult hero and representative player, Terry Hill.

The former Manly Sea Eagles star passed away due to a suspected heart attack whilst overseas in the Philippines.

During a first grade career that spanned 15 years and 246 games, Hill was one of the game's great characters and on his day, was a truly elite centre.

He was also a beloved larrikin, known to always have a prank at the ready, off the field.

Scroll on for a selection of photos that sums up the late champion's incredible career.

Terry Hill during his brief tenure at Eastern Suburbs.

He signed a three-year deal with the Roosters in 1991, but played just 13 games for the club before moving to Western Suburbs.

Terry Hill in action for the Western Suburbs Magpies.

He played 33 games for the club across two seasons, scoring seven tries. 

Terry Hill poses for a photo ahead of the Kangaroos tour of Great Britain in 1994.

It marked the beginning of a nine-game international career that produced eight tries for Australia.

Hill made the cross-town switch to the Sea Eagles in 1994 and instantly became an integral part of the side.

With his toughness and skill out wide, he went on to play 142 games for the club across two stints, scoring 64 tries. 

As his move to Manly paid off, Hill became entrenched in the Australian team and featured in their World Cup victory at Wembley Stadium in 1995.

Hill started in the centres as the Aussies secured a hard-fought 16-8 victory. 

After landing on his feet and finding a permanent home at the Sea Eagles, Hill would help lead the side to a grand final victory over St George in 1996.

Hill started in the centres against the Dragons as Manly secured a 20-8 win.

Hill runs at Maroons legend Allan Langer during the 1998 State of Origin series.

While he managed more than a dozen games for the Blues, the centre never scored a try at Origin level. 

Hill was no stranger to an on-field stoush and never shied away from taking on the roughest and toughest players from the opposition.

His famous square-off with Gorden Tallis in the 1999 State of Origin series has become a part of rugby league folklore.

Hill moved to joint-venture Wests Tigers in 2001 and was a key signing for the club at the time.

Hill's time at the Tigers saw him become even more of a cult hero, winning over the fans at Leichhardt Oval.

Hill suffered his fair share of injuries during his rugby league career.

In this image, he is stretchered from the field during a game for the Wests Tigers in 2002.

Hill squared off against his former club on numerous occasions, even managing to score a try against Manly at Brookvale Oval in 2003.

As his career began to wind down, Hill would become a versatile option at the Tigers, even spending time in the No.13 lock-forward role for the side.

After his tenure at the Tigers came to an end, Hill would sign with the Rabbitohs but didn't play a game in 2004 due to a groin injury, forcing him to retire.

However, less than a year later, he was back in Manly colours and would re-join the club he spent the majority of his career with for the 2005 campaign. 

While he was a larrikin to some, Hill became the enemy for numerous oppositions fans and players over the years due to his on-field antics.

Hill wasn't afraid to send some verbal barbs the way of his rivals and sometimes it led to hands being thrown and scuffles breaking out.

A controversial player, Hill had his fair share of run-ins with the officials during the course of his rugby league career.

Even in his final season in the NRL, Hill showed glimpses of his past form during the 2005 campaign for the Sea Eagles.

Hill's experience became a vital part of Manly's run to the NRL finals in 2005, becoming a leader within the group.

Hill salutes the Manly faithful at their spiritual home of Brookvale Oval.

Spotted alongside rep forward Ben Kennedy and a young Anthony Watmough, the veteran received plenty of love from the Sea Eagles fans. 

As their charge to the NRL finals continued towards the end of 2005, Hill soaked in all the adulation from the fans as his cult hero status grew.