HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE Ross Hutchinson |
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Year Inducted | 2004 |
Date of Birth | 9th October 1914 |
COACH: 1935-49
GAMES: 133: East Fremantle 94; South Fremantle 18; West Perth 16; WA 5
PREMIERSHIPS: East Fremantle captain-coach 1937; West Perth coach 1941;
HONOURS; East Fremantle fairest and best 1935-36; WA coach 1939;
Sir Ross Hutchinson was a high achiever – a brilliant footballer, the first person to coach premiership teams at three different clubs, awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross as a pilot with Bomber Command in Europe in World War II and a high-ranking member of the WA Government. Born in the small timber town of Worsley, Hutchinson won East Fremantle’s fairest and best in his first two years, 1935-36. By 1937 he was captain-coach and, at 23, led the team to a premiership. Coached West Perth to a premiership in 1941 before the war intervened. Coached a brilliant South Fremantle to successive flags before reluctantly retiring to go into politics.
An astute judge of talent, his success as playing and non-playing coach confirmed his greatness. Held numerous Cabinet posts in the Liberal Government during a 25 year period, rising to Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.