Australian Football

Norm Ware was a clever and unusually pacy and mobile big man who contributed an enormous amount to the development of Footscray as a league force during the 1930s and 1940s. As a ruckman, he was hard to beat in the air, but the fact that he also moved like a rover made him a doubly valuable player. Later in his career he moved onto the forward lines with telling effect, topping Footscray's goal kicking list with 51 goals in 1942.

Recruited by Footscray from Sale, Ware made his VFL debut in 1932, and won the first of his five club best-and-fairest awards two years later. Always scrupulously fair, he was held in the utmost esteem by his team mates, and earned the admiration of opponents. He captained Footscray in 1940 and was captain-coach in 1941-42. In 1941 he made history by becoming the first, and to date only, playing coach to win the Brownlow Medal. At the age of 30 he was also, at the time, the oldest player to have won the Medal.

Ware's 200th and last VFL game was the 1946 First Semi Final against Melbourne. Footscray lost, but Ware went out in style, booting four goals for a final career tally of 220. 

In 2002, Ware's importance in the history of Footscray was recognised when he was selected in the club's official 'Team of the Century'.

Author - John Devaney