Wally Ware

Recruited from Sale in the Gippsland region, Wally Ware was a tall and robust follower who shouldered a heavy workload for Hawthorn during the club's difficult "Mayblooms" era. Arriving at Glenferrie Oval in 1930, the 187cm ruckman became a key component of the side's structure, using his height and strength to battle against the league's premier big men in a team that frequently languished near the bottom of the ladder. While his younger brother Norman would go on to achieve legendary status as a Brownlow Medallist at Footscray, Wally was a consistent and reliable contributor in his own right, playing 63 games over five seasons before crossing to the VFA to join Camberwell in 1935. His family's footballing legacy continued into the next generation, with his son Bob later carving out a successful career with Footscray, including an appearance in the 1961 Grand Final.