Hilton finds joy of game at Euroa
11 March 2006
Herald Sun
David Hastie
DELISTED by Richmond at the end of 2005, utility Rory Hilton was understandably disenchanted with football.
Dogged by injury for much of his eight seasons at the top, Hilton confessed he never really enjoyed his time in the AFL.
"My AFL career, I didn't really enjoy it that much because I was always injured," Hilton said.
"Footy's a game and you have got to enjoy it and I suppose I haven't."
After he was told by Tigers coach Terry Wallace that his contract wouldn't be renewed, the talented 26-year-old felt an enormous weight lifted off his battered shoulders.
"When I found out off Terry, I wasn't upset, let me tell you," Hilton said. "It was probably more a feeling of relief than anything. I'd had enough of AFL probably about three seasons ago to be honest.
"But I just sort of hung in there for as long as I could."
Ready to turn his back on football altogether, Hilton had a change of heart, agreeing to play with country side Euroa in the Goulburn Valley Football League this season.
"Initially I wasn't sure if I was going to bother with footy because I had sort of had enough," he said.
"Footy isn't a priority any more. I'm doing it purely to play with some mates and enjoy it."
Hilton, who kicked 54 goals in 91 matches, will return to Euroa where he played as a junior. For the first time since being selected by the Brisbane Lions with their third selection in the 1996 national draft, Hilton is enjoying his football.
The refuge of country football is a welcome escape for Hilton from the AFL landscape.
"I certainly won't go and watch the footy," he said.
"I'll still support (the Tigers) from afar, but probably my mates more so than the actual club. But that's not to say I'm bitter or anything because I loved my time there.
"I loved all the staff and everyone there but I haven't been in touch with them, not at all."
Life after AFL has been kind to Hilton. He is working full-time and studying property part-time, a welcome change from lengthy spells on the sidelines because of injury.
"I'm pretty happy just to be playing footy on the weekend and working during the week and studying and doing all normal things," he said.
"I'm loving it, wish I had have done it about five years ago."
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