Noosa Tigers great Gary Wallace names ultimate dream team
Noosa legend Gary Wallace has reflected on his incredible junior and senior Aussie rules career and uncovered his ultimate Tigers dream team full of exceptional talents. See which players made the cut.
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Noosa Aussie rules star Gary ‘Gazza’ Wallace has trawled through the memory bank to reflect on his glistening career and reveal his ultimate Tigers dream team.
The now 38-year-old began playing junior footy in 1994, picking up multiple best and fairest awards as well as regional schoolboy honours.
After more than 200 junior games the former Noosa District State High School student made his senior debut in 2003 at 17-years-old.
The talented half bank flank was a shining light for the Tigers, helping his side lift the 2010 Pineapple Hotel Cup premiership for the first time since 1997.
In 2013 Wallace travelled down the Bruce Highway to play one season with Caboolture (now Moreton Bay) where he won the best and fairest trophy before retiring to the club in 2014 and continue his incredible premiership winning streak.
“I was able to win every premiership at Noosa in every grade except for under-12s,” he said.
“So we went on a run of under-14s, under-16s, under-18s, seniors and reserves so that’s pretty cool but unfortunately I can’t go back to under-12s to try and get that one.”
He said there were plenty of incredible memories.
“The senior grand final was obviously amazing, the reserve grade premiership in 2017 was huge and our under-18 grand final win was pretty eventful,” he said.
“Our bus driver wasn’t going to take us to the Ettamogah Pub so we had to get someone else to drive us and just before half time there was a big punch on that included parents and coaches and everyone so I’ll never forget that one.
“My milestone games were also all very memorable, my 300th was really special to run out with my kids and my final game was bittersweet as we played against the old rivals Maroochydore and to get chaired off was something I’ll never forget.”
After 229 senior matches and roughly 100 reserve grade games, Wallace called time on his 28-year local footy career at the end of the 2023 season.
“It was a very hard decision, I would love to again but I’ve got a lovely wife and three daughters that are between one and seven so it’s time to let them play sport and have weekends as a family,” he said.
He said he was thankful to have played alongside a number of different people throughout his career.
“I never really thought about my playing days until I was approaching my final few games so it was very special to reflect on all of the great games, teammates, off-field friendships, social events, work behind the scenes and everything that truly makes a football club,” he said.
“Noosa is also such a transitional town with guys that come and go so I’d love to know the amount of players I’ve played with in my career because I honestly think it could be in the thousands.
“The Noosa Tigers have been such a big part of my life and I’m very thankful for everyone that’s played a role.”
Below is Wallace’s dream team with substitutes and why they won selection.
“Picking my team was extremely hard, there’s a lot of good footballers that aren’t in there,” he said.
“There’s guys like Brent Moloney who won a best and fairest at Melbourne, Jono Freeman and Jack Payne who played AFL, along with plenty of others that are making a name for themselves but I picked it off what they did at Noosa rather than the reputation they came with or what they’ve achieved since leaving the club.
“It was very hard to pick but my final selections came down to the people that I want on my team and that I’d want to play with again.
“I know I would’ve forgotten some players too and no doubt someone will remind me of a guy who should’ve got in but that’s what creates conversation and a debate.”
Wallace’s Ultimate Tigers Dream Team
Back Pocket - Aaron Jaques: “Mr reliable, tough as nails and a great leader.”
Full Back - Jason Boydle: “Great defender who very rarely got beat.”
Back Pocket - Tom Mckittrick: “Great team man who is always reliable at putting the team first.”
Back Flank - Ryley Buntain: “Has sold more candy than most candy shops, loves a challenge.”
Centre Half-back - Mark Vagg: “An absolute gun who lead by example and is a legend of Sunshine Coast football.”
Back Flank - Robert Copeland: “A tough and incredibly smart footballer who helped my game immensely.”
Wing - Jai Fitzpatrick: “Great evasive player with top ball skills. Would do anything for his team.”
Centre - Damian Hahn: “Always calm under pressure, was a great leader and mentor.”
Wing - James Brain: “Exciting player who could play anywhere and tear teams apart.”
Forward Flank - Aaron Laskey: Mr consistent: “Hits the ball hard and rarely loses a contest.”
Centre Half Forward - Brett Duke: “Great team man and leader who always put the team first and was rarely beaten.”
Forward Flank - Jay Reynolds: “A smart and tough footballer with great skills and could change a game in minutes.”
Forward Pocket - Nick Hill: “Strong inside mid with good skills and a damaging forward.”
Full Forward - Matthew Hicks: “Would mark almost any ball that came his way and kicked over 100 goals in a year.”
Forward Pocket - Caleb Isles: “A true pest to his opponents who ran all day and gathered plenty of possessions.”
Ruckman - Peter Trompf: “An absolute workhorse who struck fear into his opponents and was a natural leader.”
Ruck Rover - Reece Langan: “Couldn’t be tackled with elite skills left and right.”
Rover - Luke Matthews: “An inside bull who could win a game off his own boot.”
Interchange
Shane Davis: “Hard at it with great skills and would do anything for his teammates.”
Ryan Evans: “The only player I’ve seen have a licence to do what he wants. Was a freakish goal kicker.”
Troy Duke: “Bleeds for the club, wore his heart on his sleeve and was rarely beaten.”
Adam Bovalino: “A great leader, the general down back who would do whatever he could for his team.”
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