The move was confirmed last last week with Middleton making the move to the Raiders after impressing in his maiden year as a captain-coach with the Narromine Jets.

While the signing of a player and leader of Middleton’s experience and quality is a genuine sign of intent from the Raiders, Hill has been left with some tough decisions to make.

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Macquarie president Ross McDermott has stated he would love the 26-year-old to stay on at the club in some capacity next season, but Hill is taking some time after feeling hurt by the decision to sack him after just one season. 

“When I first met with the club the idea was it was a two or three year deal and we would build with a young core group of players,” he said.

“But after one year it looks like they don’t want that and now I’m left twiddling my thumbs and trying to justify why.

“I’ve got to take some time and find something that’s best for me because ideally I’d like to be a first grade coach and I felt it was a major achievement to make finals this year with that young core group.”

McDermott stated it was nothing personal, but said the club needed a change of direction after a lack of leadership on the field during this season’s run to fifth-placed finish.

The Raiders were bundled out of the finals in the first week, going down to eventual premiers Forbes, while Middleton led the Jets to a seventh-placed finish.

Hill, a former Cronulla Sharks junior, didn’t feature on the field at all this year after undergoing the latest in a string of operations on his knee last year.

McDermott said that had a major effect on the Raiders’ season, while other club’s with experienced campaigners on the park were the ones who went the furthest in 2018.

“It was extremely tough (telling Hill) but we were concerned that with a lot of young fellas we needed someone on the field, a leader,” McDermott said.

“Dylan couldn’t play and that was through no fault of his own but there’s five or six young fellas out there on the park each week and they need someone to lead them around.

“He (Hill) has been a Macquarie fella for a long time and we just couldn’t match it. He tried his hardest but there’s a big difference between what we can do and Forbes and CYMS.

“Tim Ryan (at CYMS) is different but there’s a lot of leaders on the field. (Retiring Forbes captain) Jake Grace is exactly what we want and from what we’ve seen of Wes he can be that person.”

McDermott said the scenes on show during the recent reserve grade grand final where Raiders and CYMS players came to blows multiple times were “disgraceful”. He added the appointment of someone like Middleton, who was credited with instilling plenty of unity within the Jets this year, can fix discipline issues throughout the club.

The president also stated he had extremely positive discussions with his Narromine counterpart, Archie Harding, while working on the deal for Middleton.

Middleton “wants the challenge”, according to McDermott, after helping develop a Jets side lacking quality and depth into a competitive outfit by the end of the 2018 season.

The representative hooker who has played for the Balmain Tigers and the Redcliffe Dolphins spent time with the Raiders as a junior and McDermott is thrilled he, his father, and extended family will be now back at the club.

Hill is no certainty to be around the Raiders, confirming he’s already had enquiries from a number of clubs regarding his future.

The prop is keen to return to the field in a playing capacity as well next season, pending insurance clearances, but his ideal scenario would be coaching.

“I would like to play for the club (Macquarie) but there’s already interest from others so I’ve got to weigh up my options and what is best for myself,” he said.