Hill: Decision to retire is best
for club

South Sydney has been rocked by news that star recruit Terry Hill has been forced out of the game due to a knee injury.

The news came hot on the heels of confirmation that Todd Polglase would be out for the remainder of the season after sustaining an injury against the Roosters last weekend.

Hill's retirement comes after doctors initially said he would miss at least the first month of this year's premiership. Hill believes, however, that he simply can't play on.

“I've given the matter considerable thought and I believe my decision to retire is in the Club’s and my personal best interests,” Hill said at a Press Conference this afternoon.

Hill was looking to finish his career with the Rabbitohs, the club that gave him his first break in 1988. He went on to become a star with Manly before representing both New South Wales and Australia. He also played football with both the Roosters and Wests Tigers.

“Today signifies the end of a magnificent career by one of the game’s larger than life characters,” Souths CEO David Tapp said today.

“Terry has been on the Club’s payroll for five months and every dollar we’ve invested to this point has been well worthwhile.

“The contribution Hill has made to the Club over the past five months has been faultless and his influence particularly on the young players was immeasurable.”

Hill played nine tests for Australia and had become one of the most recognisable faces in the game, thanks to a variety of television work.

The loss of Hill and Polglase adds to the player shortage the Rabbitohs have been facing since the pre-season.

Polglase is the third young gun the Rabbitohs have lost this year with Mark Meredith also out for the season with the same injury and Scott Geddes out until approximately round 12 with a torn pectoral muscle.

The Rabbitohs play the Wests Tigers on Sunday.