Hamilton was a defender and usually occupied a back pocket for Essendon.
He brought up his 100th league game in Essendon's 1991 encounter against Carlton Football Club at Waverley Park.
Hamilton left Essendon after the 1992 AFL season for Tasmania where he coached Glenorchy Football Club to a premiership.
Hamilton then crossed to South Australian National Football League (SANFL) club Woodville-West Torrens where he had some more success, steering them to a minor premiership.
Hamilton then served as an assistant coach at North Melbourne Football Club for fours years as well as having a stint as an assistant to Neil Craig at the Adelaide Football Club.