Ron Hilditch

Ron Hilditch (born 13 August 1953) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer and coach. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative forward, he played club football for the Parramatta Eels with whom he won the 1981 NSWRFL Premiership.

Ron Hilditch

Personal information
Full name	Ron Paul Hilditch
Born	(1953-08-13) 13 August 1953 (age 71) Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Playing information
Position	Prop, Hooker
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 1975–83 Parramatta Eels 156 24 0 0 72 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 1978–81 Australia 3 0 0 0 0 1981 New South Wales 4 0 0 0 0 1982 NSW City 1 0 0 0 0
Coaching information
Club Years Team Gms W D L W% 1989–90 Illawarra Steelers 44 13 2 29 30 1994–96 Parramatta Eels 65 19 2 44 29 Total 109 32 4 73 29
Source: Rugby League Project

Playing career

Hilditch made his first grade debut for Parramatta in round 6 of the 1975 season against Western Suburbs. In 1976, he played in Parramatta's first ever grand final which was a 13–10 loss to Manly-Warringah. The following year, he played in Parramatta's 1977 Grand Final and Grand Final replay loss against St. George.^[1][2][3]

In 1981, it was third time lucky for Hilditch as he played in Parramatta's first-ever premiership victory, a 20–11 win over Newtown in the grand final.^[4]

An Australian Kangaroo, Hilditch was selected for three internationals, all against France; once in 1978 and twice in 1981.

Hilditch was selected to represent New South Wales as a front-rower for the only State of Origin game in 1981.

Hilditch played in the club's 1982 preliminary final victory over Eastern Suburbs but missed out on selection in the 1982 Grand Final where Parramatta defeated Manly-Warringah.

Coaching career

After three years as captain-coach of Mudgee in the Country Rugby League, Hilditch coached the Illawarra Steelers in 1989 and 1990. In 1994, he succeeded Mick Cronin at Parramatta but his three years as coach of the club were not particularly successful, with only a 30% win rate.^[5] Hilditch was replaced by Brian Smith in 1997.

Hilditch was inducted into the Parramatta Eels Hall of Fame in 2006.^[6]

Hilditch was a member of the Parramatta Eels Board of Directors.^[7]

References

1. "THROWBACK - 1977 Grand Final replay". Parramatta Eels. 10 August 2017.
2. "Famous footy fumbles still haunt". Heraldsun.com.au. 17 September 2008. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
3. "Official Player Numbers". Parramatta Eels.
4. "THROWBACK Eels win first top grade premiership". Parramatta Eels.
5. "Coach Profile - Ron Hilditch". NRL Stats. Retrieved 30 November 2007.
6. "Hall of Fame to welcome new member". Parramatta Eels. 6 August 2007. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 30 November 2007.
7. "Club Officials". Parramatta Eels. Archived from the original on 7 November 2007. Retrieved 30 November 2007.

External links

• Parramatta Eels Honour Roll

Preceded by Mick Cronin 1990-1993	Coach Parramatta Eels 1994−1996	Succeeded by Brian Smith 1997-2006
Preceded by Terry Fearnley 1988	Coach Illawarra Steelers 1989-1990	Succeeded by Graham Murray 1991-1995