Career
He played for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, Gold Coast Titans and Newcastle Knights in the National Rugby League. He primarily played lock, hooker and five-eighth. Born in Sutherland, New South Wales, Hilder played his junior football for the Cronulla-Caringbah before being signed by the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks.
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
In Round 1 of the 2003 NRL season, Hilder made his NRL debut for the Sharks against the Melbourne Storm.
He scored a try on debut. Gold Coast Titans
After four seasons of first-grade with Cronulla, Hilder joined the Gold Coast Titans for their inaugural season, signing a 1-year contract starting in 2007.
He was a regular in first-grade, but left the club at the end of the season. Newcastle Knights
In 2008, Hilder joined the Newcastle Knights.
In July 2013, Hilder played for the New South Wales Residents against the Queensland Residents.
On 6 September 2013, Hilder re-signed with the Knights on a 1-year contract. A few days after re-signing, Hilder made a return to first-grade, after being used seldom by Knights coach Wayne Bennett since early 2012, returning in time to play all three of the Knights" finals games and scoring a try in his 100th Knights game and 200th NRL game against the Melbourne Storm. These would become his final few first-grade games of his career.
In September 2014, Hilder announced his retirement from rugby league, finishing up with 201 NRL appearances.
On 10 September 2006, Hilder threw a chair at a man during an argument, causing head injuries. Hilder was fined $1,000.