Australian Football

Hawthorn recruited Barry Rowlings from Moe and, after making his VFL debut in 1975, he developed into a more than handy rover or centreman who was one of the Hawks best in their losing Grand Final of 1975 against North Melbourne. In the following year's premiership decider, when Hawthorn gained revenge, Rowlings was again one of the finest players on view.

In 1978, after 82 VFL games and 78 goals for Hawthorn, Rowlings sustained a serious knee injury and the Hawks, believing he would struggle to recover, allowed him to transfer to Richmond. It was a rare misjudgement on the part of the Hawk brains trust as Rowlings went on to play the best football of his career for the Tigers, winning a best and fairest award in 1979, and starring as a ruck-rover in the 1980 Grand Final annihilation of Collingwood. He played a total of 152 games for Richmond, kicking 117 goals, and was club captain in 1983-4. He retired in 1986.

Author - John Devaney