Official Matt Hilder

[Yahoo News]

Cronulla Sharks utility Matt Hilder has become coach John Cartwright's 25th signing for the Gold Coast Titans' inaugural season next year. The 24-year-old has agreed to a one-year deal with the Titans.

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200608/s1715087.htm

Hilder added to Titans squad
Last Update: August 15, 2006. 10:28am (AEST)

Cronulla Sharks utility Matt Hilder has become coach John Cartwright's 25th signing for the Gold Coast Titans' inaugural season next year.

The 24-year-old has agreed to a one-year deal with the Titans.

A Titans press release described Hilder as "a mobile player with exceptional skills who is as comfortable in the pack as he is at five-eighth".

"Had I known Matt was off contract earlier we certainly would have made securing his services a much higher priority," Cartwright said.

"He is a quality recruit, a strong runner, a talented ball player and there are a lot of tries scored around him."

Hilder said: "I love the club's attitude and I am excited about what they are setting out to achieve.

"I believe there will be good opportunity for me to prove myself under coach John Cartwright and with the quality squad they have pulled together on the Gold Coast."

Hilder debuted for the Sharks against Melbourne in the opening round of the 2003 season, and to date has played 82 games, scoring 19 tries and kicking 30 goals.

Titans chief executive Michael Searle said while the club had now built a traditional 25-man roster, he was not ruling out further signing to increase the depth of the squad.

Titans squad

Forwards: Daniel Conn (Bulldogs), James Stosic (Sharks), Mark Minichiello (Souths), Clint Amos (Cowboys), Michael Henderson (Dragons), Michael Hodgson (Raiders), Frank Puletua (Panthers), Luke Bailey (Dragons), Anthony Laffranchi (Tigers), Luke Swain (Panthers), Brad Meyers (Bradford), Nathan Friend (Storm), Luke O'Dwyer (Eels).

Backs: Matt Hilder (Sharks), Lelea Paea (Roosters), Brett Delaney (Eels), Jake Webster (Storm), Gavin Cooper (Cowboys), Steve Turner (Storm), Preston Campbell (Panthers), Brian Carney (Knights), Matt Petersen (Eels), Scott Prince (Tigers), Richie Mathers (Rhinos), Josh Graham (Western Force).

 

[Google News]

Sharks player pleads guilty to assault

CRONULLA Sharks NRL player Matt Hilder today pleaded guilty to assaulting a man with a plastic chair in a roadside argument. Hilder ...

Source: http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,20649336-5005962,00.html

Sharks player pleads guilty to assault
AAP
October 26, 2006 04:09pm

CRONULLA Sharks NRL player Matt Hilder today pleaded guilty to assaulting a man with a plastic chair in a roadside argument.

Hilder, 24, threw the chair at another man during the argument in Milba Road, Caringbah, on September 10.

The 49-year-old victim suffered head injuries.

Hilder, whose nickname among teammates is "Trouble", pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm in a brief appearance at Sutherland Local Court.

The Cronulla Sharks utility forward will be sentenced on November 1.

Hilder was last month signed to new league side the Gold Coast Titans for their maiden 2007 season.

 

[Google News]

'Trouble' for Titans after assault woe

... A locally bred Cronulla player, Hilder made his debut for the Sharks in March ... bar during recruitment for players for the Titans' debut into the NRL next season. ...

Source: http://www.gcbulletin.com.au/article/2006/10/27/1453_news.html

'Trouble' for Titans after assault woe
27Oct06

THE Gold Coast Titans do not anticipate taking action against Sydney league player Matt 'Trouble' Hilder after he pleaded guilty to assault in a Sydney court yesterday.

Hilder, signed by the Titans from the Cronulla Sharks for next year, threw a plastic chair at a middle-aged man during an argument in Milba Road, Caringbah, on September 10.

The 49-year-old received head injuries as a result of the incident.

The Titans have long preached a tough stance on anti-social behaviour, saying they will not tolerate it at the club.

But CEO Michael Searle said yesterday they were not likely to take any action against Hilder as he had yet to become a Titan officially.

"We are aware of it but he is not our player until November 1," said Searle.

"It happened when he was with the Sharks and we know nothing about the incident. Obviously we'll monitor the result."

In an ominous sign, Hilder, 24, whose nickname among teammates is 'Trouble', yesterday pleaded guilty in a brief appearance in the Sutherland Local Court to one charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The utility forward is set to be sentenced in the same Sydney court on November 1.

A locally bred Cronulla player, Hilder made his debut for the Sharks in March, 2003. He is the second Titans signing to hit the headlines for the wrong reasons this year, following in the footsteps of Newcastle's winger Brian Carney who is also bound for the Gold Coast in 2007.

The Irishman was issued with an infringement notice in March for failing to leave a licensed premises at Manly and fined $550 on the spot by police.

The 29-year-old had been drinking with former Wigan teammate Matthew Johns aka Reg Reagan at the Steyne Hotel.

Earlier this year Searle told The Gold Coast Bulletin his club had set a high bar during recruitment for players for the Titans' debut into the NRL next season.

"We have put a line though players if they have social behaviours that we are not comfortable with, whether that be alcohol or drugs, or general social conduct," he said.

The incident follows a nightmare year for the NRL in terms of off-field antics from players.

Hilder's current club sacked Tevita Latu, who was convicted of breaking the nose of a 19-year-old girl, while there were reports of fist-fighting between two players in the pre-season.

The Brisbane Broncos axed former State of Origin halfback Brett Seymour following assault allegations from a woman in August, and axed forward Neville Costigan following a drink-driving conviction.

The North Queensland Cowboys sacked forward Mitchell Sargent for cocaine use.

 

[Google News]

NRL player fined over chair assault

FORMER Cronulla Sharks rugby league player Matt Hilder was today fined $1000 for throwing a plastic chair at a man during an argument. ...

Source: http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,20683066-5003402,00.html

NRL player fined over chair assault
AAP
November 01, 2006 05:34pm

FORMER Cronulla Sharks rugby league player Matt Hilder was today fined $1000 for throwing a plastic chair at a man during an argument.

Hilder, 24, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm over the September 10 incident.

A 49-year-old man suffered head injuries during the altercation at Caringbah, in Sydney's south.

Hilder, who has since signed for the new Gold Coast Titans club, was sentenced today in Sutherland Local Court.

As well as the $1000 fine Magistrate Paul Lyons ordered him to pay $67 court costs.

 

[Hammerhead]

Hilder to play 5/8 at Titans

For those of you who still follow the ex-sharkies


11 February 2007
Sunday Mail, The

UNHERALDED Titans recruit Matt Hilder has emerged as a shock contender to partner Scott Prince in the halves for the Gold Coast's return to the NRL next month.

The Titans host St George Illawarra at Suncorp Stadium on March 18.

The club's first signing -- former Dally M medallist Preston Campbell -- was considered a certainty to wear the No.6 jumper for the historic clash.

However, a shoulder injury to first-choice hooker Nathan Friend could force a major reshuffle, which will catapult Hilder into the Suncorp Stadium blockbuster.

The former Sharks utility has been running at five-eighth at Titans training for most of the summer, with Campbell filling in as dummy-half. Hilder's work ethic at training has made him one of the standouts in trainer Billy Johnstone's gruelling pre-season program.

Titans coach John Cartwright said the 24-year-old would get the chance at five-eighth in the Gold Coast's trial games.

"He'll certainly get a crack at pivot. We know what Preston can do in there but we want to build depth and see what people can do in various positions so we'll definitely give him a go," Cartwright said.

"Matt has played around that five-eighth or lock spot for most of his career so we are very keen to get a bit creative and have a look at him in the No.6.

"The way the salary cap is these days you can't go out and buy lots of specialist halves. You have to get utility players who can cover a few spots, so guys like Matt are very valuable to us because they are at home in a number of positions."

Cartwright said Hilder had not put a foot wrong since arriving at the club.

"He's certainly been one of our better ones and he puts a lot of effort into his game on and off the field," he said.

"He's always doing extras, always in the gym or doing stretches.

"He's dropped about four or five kilos since he got here and he's getting around the paddock very well.

"We've been very happy with him and he'll be a key player for us this season."

Hilder said with so much competition for spots at the new club players had to perform early.

"I'd like to think I've always been a good trainer. I like what I do for a living and the older you get, the smarter you get and you tend to look after yourself a bit more," he said.

"So much is going to depend on trial form because only a handful of guys have got locked-in spots, which leaves the rest of us in pretty intense competition. It's a healthy thing for any club.

"We have been training so hard for so long now that I think everyone is keen to put the boots on and play.

"The coaching staff has told me they are looking at me in that lock or five-eighth role and hopefully I can take the opportunity with both hands."

Hilder burst into Cronulla's first grade side in 2003, and was named rookie of the year and forward of the year at the end of the season.

Nicknamed "Waltzing", he spent most of his time at hooker and is renowned for his durability and work rate in defence. At 186cm and 100kg, Hilder can handle the tackling workload on the fringe of the ruck, while the smaller Campbell defends on the wing.

 

[jimmymac]

never seen him play 5/8, but someone said in another thread here a couple of weeks ago, that it was hilder who was playing 5/8 and killing the opposition when melbourne seen him and thought it was the other fella( name escapes me at the moment), and they were so impressed that they offered the other bloke a contract.sounds like hilder must go allright in the six, and ha ha to melbourne, what a balls up.

 

[brad]

hahahahaha! you'd be mad to pick him before preston or rogers.

 

[Megashark]

never seen him play 5/8, but someone said in another thread here a couple of weeks ago, that it was hilder who was playing 5/8 and killing the opposition when melbourne seen him and thought it was the other fella( name escapes me at the moment), and they were so impressed that they offered the other bloke a contract.sounds like hilder must go allright in the six, and ha ha to melbourne, what a balls up.

Jimmy, the "other fella" you are talking about is Russ Aitken.

 

[jimmymac]

thats the fella, russell aitken, thanks mega

 

[vince]

preston cant be to happy at the possibilty of playing hooker

 

[fancyman]

id put hilder @hooker and put preston their, preston left us cause he couldnt play halfback, the tightones are showing their deepth already

 

[Nulla Boy]

preston cant be to happy at the possibilty of playing hooker

yeah lets see if he wants out of this contract now....little friggin whinger!
he deserves a bullet for the way he deserted the sharks!

 

[Megashark]

Easy on Nulla! I was under the impression that he left us because Noddy came on board and he didn't fit into Anderson's gameplan?

 

[Bronze Whaler]

I was always sorry to see Hilder go. He was talented and versatile but never fully reached his potential at the Sharks. He will have a good year I reakcon.

 

[Inferno]

yeah lets see if he wants out of this contract now....little friggin whinger!
he deserves a bullet for the way he deserted the sharks!

Who wouldn't want out of their contract after being Fucked around by the new coach and shifted to hooker after winning the Dally M the year before.

Cambell moved on and won a premiership at 5/8, meanwhile Anderson was sacked and before landing this gig at the Roosters was on the NRL scrapheap and coaching Samoa.

Hilder did play a lot for us at 5/8 in Premier league, and basically was great for us in first grade wherever we needed him. That was his problem in the end, he became the jack of all trades, master of none and couldn't nail down a first grade spot.

I don't think Preston at hooker will last, but can't hurt giving it a try, and they also would want to know whether Hilder is up to 5/8 at first grade if injury strikes and he is required to fill in.

My prediction is Trouble will start the season off on the bench, but by mid season, have nailed a starting position at Lock.

 

[peachey]

anderson has always hated presto and always will....yeah its a travesty that we lost hilder, given his chance and he will take it with both hands, he is a solid player...i say good luck to him at the titans..good luck waltzing!!

 

[Megashark]

Cambell moved on and won a premiership at 5/8, meanwhile Anderson was sacked and before landing this gig at the Roosters was on the NRL scrapheap and coaching Samoa.

Anderson was also coaching rugby union for a club in Wales if I remember correctly , maybe shireboy can confirm that for us?

My prediction is Trouble will start the season off on the bench, but by mid season, have nailed a starting position at Lock.

Agreed Inferno, as you said he is a jack of all trades but in my opinion his best position is lock - I would say though that he probably started more games for us at hooker than any other position.

 

[peachey]

Anderson was also coaching rugby union for a club in Wales if I remember correctly , maybe shireboy can confirm that for us?

yes ando after gettin the boot here, went to wales n coached a union team n i think he got booted from there as well

 

[Megashark]

yes ando after gettin the boot here, went to wales n coached a union team n i think he got booted from there as well

Maybe Opes couldn't figure out what was going on in those mauls and lineouts...and I can't say I blame him! But it begs the question really...why would they hire him in the first place given that his previous experience of rugby union was non-existent? On that topic, does anyone remember when Balmain hired former Wallaby coach Alan Jones, what a disaster that turned out to be!

 

[Great White]

And souths too wasn't it?

Hilder is a high qulaity player and a sad loss, and I agree with Inferno, jack of all trades but did not get the chance to master one. The problem at the sharks was he was told to baulk up after playing hooker as a stop gap, the previous year as he would be playing secondrow/lock, but then of course Williams, Thompson,Gallen, Bird etc were put all put before him. Hilder was signed by Titans on recommendation from Opes that not only was he a quality utility but and a great 5/8, he will go great given the chance because he was a class above premier league at whichever position but namely 5/8 towards the end.

I personally think Preston may struggle to cement a permanent spot and may be used as a filler or an impact player off the bench to hooker like Sullivan/Latu.