Australian Football

John Fisher, a wingman from Warburton, made his VFL debut for Hawthorn in 1957, but did not become a regular senior player until 1961. His timing was impeccable, for 1961 proved to be the year the Hawks broke through for their first premiership. Playing in his customary position on the wing, Fisher was listed high among the victors’ best players as they comfortably accounted for Footscray in the grand final. Quick, purposeful and with plenty of nous, he was regarded as being a particularly fine wet weather player. When he retired in 1965 he had played 94 VFL games and scored nine goals in the famous brown and gold. Back in 1958, when he was still playing mostly reserves football, he won the Gardiner Medal as the competition best and fairest player at that level.

Author - John Devaney