Terry Wallace inducted to AFL Hall of Fame after playing and coaching stints at three clubs
TERRY Wallace’s football career has been littered with tough hits — some of which he still feels today. The new addition to the AFL’s Hall of Fame on those challenges, and having to leave the Hawks after premiership success.
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IF Terry Wallace had played his entire career for one club, he would almost certainly have been inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame many years earlier.
The fact he represented three clubs — Hawthorn for nine seasons, Richmond one, and Footscray four — meant those teams weren’t especially championing his cause, despite a playing record demanding inclusion.
Thankfully, that oversight has finally been corrected — 27 years to the month since his 254th and final league game.
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Wallace, who turns 60 in December, remains as passionate about the game as when he was a five-year-old Demons supporter attending the 1964 Grand Final.
Many fans respect him for his forthright views as a media analyst who prides himself on watching nine games per round, or as an innovative coach with the Western Bulldogs as well as a less successful stint with Richmond.
But those lucky enough to see him play — from his dream debut with Hawthorn in 1978 to his final season at Footscray in 1991 — recall his impact as a prolific, hardworking and resilient centreman.
His nickname ‘Plough’ — as Russell Greene dubbed him one night at training as he bullocked his way through a muddy Glenferrie Oval — was particularly apt.
His laurels included three flags at Hawthorn (1978, ‘83 and ‘86), plus four best-and-fairests — two with the Hawks (1981 and ‘83) and two with the Bulldogs (1988-89).
He was also equal third in the Brownlow Medal in 1982.
Wallace endured several career challenges, including a spectacular fallout with Hawthorn coach Allan Jeans that saw him leave the club in his prime, as well as health issues arising from an incident in his second game with Footscray.
“The thing about my journey is I have always been challenged along the way,” Wallace said. “I’m sure those challenges made me as a footballer.”
He was a junior footy star (he once kicked 13 goals in a game) and a basketball young gun (a point guard in state junior teams). However, some mistook his love of basketball as meaning he wasn’t as committed to footy.
This came to a head when he was left out of a Bulleen Templestowe junior side three weeks in a row as a 13-year-old, leading him to contemplate quitting footy. His father encouraged him to find him a new club, and they settled on Preston Wanderers.
“I started playing good football again straight away,” Wallace said.
He carried that form onto Camberwell (VFA), where he won an under 19s best-and-fairest award and played seniors the next year.
Fitzroy, the club he was zoned to, hadn’t taken any interest in him, but when the Lions approached Hawthorn about a trade for Gerry McCarthy, Wallace became “the steak knives” in the transaction.
The bargain midfielder would play all 25 games in his first season with the Hawks, including the 1978 premiership side, sharing the midfield with the not-so-talkative trio of Don Scott, Michael Tuck and Leigh Matthews.
“I was chirpy, and my role was the setups, so I had no hesitation in making myself heard,” he said.
Wallace played a key role in a successful era at Hawthorn, winning best-and-fairests in 1981 and 1983, the later in a premiership year.
His third premiership — in 1986 — almost didn’t happen.
A breakdown in relationship between vice-captain Wallace and Jeans saw him warned on the eve of the 1986 preliminary final he could be dropped.
“Allan and I weren’t getting on,” he said. “Some of the dealings were off field and our relationship had broken down so badly it was starting to impact on the field.
“I got a phone call on the eve of the preliminary final to say they were thinking about leaving me out of the game. I told them … I would be quitting the club immediately (if dropped). They rang back an hour later to say I was in.
“I was best-on-ground in the preliminary final but I knew then I had to leave.”
Jeans blamed Wallace in part for Essendon’s clearances in the last quarter of the 1984 Grand Final — which Hawthorn lost — and for a modest performance in the 1985 Grand Final.
He suffered slight concussion in 1985 after accidentally copping a knee from Dermott Brereton during the brawl.
“If he blames you for ‘84, then you don’t fire a shot in ‘85, you can see what happened,” Wallace said.
Jeans was critical of him being “a bit of a lad”, as well as taking a young Jason Dunstall out on occasions, and under his wing.
“I think Yabby saw me leading Jason down the wrong path,” he said.
“I also had a 17-year-old girlfriend, and Yabby thought I was going out with a schoolgirl. I am still married to that schoolgirl today.”
He knew he had to leave, despite winning the ‘86 flag: “When you play for 14 seasons (overall) and in a premiership year, it is your least enjoyable season, there is something wrong.”
Jeans warned him he would never be welcome back at Hawthorn, although Wallace made sure he never criticised the club or coach.
The Hawks made sure he couldn’t train with new club Richmond in the preseason nor play until Round 3. It hampered his preparation, though he still had 34 disposals and kicked three goals in his first Tigers’ game.
But it took a toll on his body and he managed only 11 games in one season at Richmond, and with the club broke and eager to play younger players, they mutually agreed to part company.
Footscray provided a lifeline after he starred for the VFA in the 1988 Bicentennial carnival.
“My wife drove me out to Waverley for Round 1, with me in the passenger’s side with the team poster, learning some of my teammates’ names,” he laughed.
He had 30 touches, but in his second game, was whacked by Melbourne’s Rod Grinter, resulting in a fractured mandible (lower jaw) and 80 stitches.
Incredibly, he played the next week, but still feels the effects of that infamous hit.
“I suffered from vertigo for 20 years and still have some episodes now. I am going in actually in two weeks’ time to get my teeth redone for the third time.”
Wallace won best and fairests in his first two seasons at the Bulldogs, thriving under coach Mick Malthouse. He loved his experiences at Whitten Oval, which ultimately provided him with a coaching pathway.
“I feel honoured to have represented three clubs,” said Wallace, a life member of Hawthorn and Western Bulldogs.
And as far as never being welcomed back to the Hawks — as had been threatened — thankfully that wasn’t the case, and he will return again later this year for the 1978 premiership reunion.
TERRY WALLACE ON ...
THE BEST PLAYER HE PLAYED WITH:
“The best player I played alongside was certainly Leigh Matthews. He was physically dynamic, but also incredibly agile plus he had great goal scoring power.”
BEST PLAYER PLAYED AGAINST:
“I enjoyed my challenges with Geoff Raines. He was so damaging with his powerful kicking that I always had to try and win two possessions to his one. If we both had 25, he would win the duel, so I had to try to multiply my possessions against him.”
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