DOSA Football Club mourns Damian Hollaway

A Tasmanian footballer described as one of his club’s greatest defenders has been remembered as someone who was “everyone’s mate” and a player who never took a “backwards step”.

Damian Hollaway has been remembered as a highly talented footballer. Photo: DOSA FC Facebook.

A talented Tasmanian footballer has been remembered as one of his club’s greatest.

DOSA Football Club is mourning the loss of Damian Hollaway, 58, after his death on Sunday following a length battle with illness.

During his career with the Roosters, Hollaway played 178 games and featured in back-to-back premierships in 1994 and 1995.

In a moving tribute on the club’s social media pages, the Roosters described the highly talented Hollaway as a “dashing halfback who didn’t play a bad game”.

His accolades during his playing career included a runner-up senior best-and-fairest in 1994 and second in the reserves vote count in 1999, although he was never a player who wanted the individual recognition.

“Most people who played with him would rate him as the best half back flanker they had seen at the club,” the social media post said.

“He often played on the opposition ‘guns for hire’ who had come from the TFL as it was called then. At his peak, he was one of the first to be picked and one of the best defenders in the competition.

“If you were in the rooms before a game, you’d see Holla limping around because of his dodgy ankles and you’d wonder how he could go out and play. He hated warm-ups too.

“But once he was out there, he gave it everything and geez could he run. He was hard without being aggressive unlike some of his teammates, although he wouldn’t take a backwards step.”

While he was remembered for his on-field endeavours, Hollaway was equally influential in an off-field capacity.

The club recalled the countless times he’s help with the clean up after functions.

Hollaway eventually gave up his footy career in order to return to basketball, another of his passions.

“He was simply a nice person and a ‘gun’ footballer. Holla never really left the club because whenever he was able, he would still go and watch DOSA play,” the club said.

“He left a lasting impression with people who played with him. He was a laconic guy who didn’t let anything faze him.

“He was matter of fact and a straight talker.

“There was a genuine warmth about him and he was everyone’s mate.”

Originally published as DOSA Football Club mourns Damian Hollaway