Wally Naismith
Australian rules footballer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Walter Henry "Wally" Naismith (31 May 1881 – 9 January 1954)[1] was an Australian rules footballer who played for the Fitzroy Football Club and Melbourne Football Club in the Victorian Football League (VFL). He was the twin brother of Fitzroy player Charlie Naismith.
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Prahran, Victoria
Alphington, Victoria
| Wally Naismith | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
| |||
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Walter Henry Naismith | ||
| Born |
31 May 1881 Prahran, Victoria | ||
| Died |
9 January 1954 (aged 72) Alphington, Victoria | ||
| Original team | Clifton Hill | ||
| Position | Defender | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 1902–1910 | Fitzroy | 143 (20) | |
| 1911–1912 | Melbourne | 36 (0) | |
| Total | 179 (20) | ||
| Umpiring career | |||
| Years | League | Role | Games |
| 1915–1919 | VFL | Field umpire | 11 |
| 1913–1927 | VFL | Boundary umpire | 207 |
|
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1912. | |||
| Career highlights | |||
| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
Playing mostly as a defender, Naismith was part of the strong Fitzroy side that won back to back premierships in 1904 and 1905. He left Fitzroy after the 1910 season and joined Melbourne, appearing 36 times for his new club over two seasons to bring his final VFL tally to 179 games. After retiring, Naismith was the field umpire for 11 VFL matches, from 1915 to 1919, but had more success as a boundary umpire, umpiring 207 matches from the boundary, from 1913 to 1927, including the 1919, 1920, 1922, 1925, 1926 and 1927 Grand Finals.[2]
In 1910, Naismith married Eva Emmeline Dummett (sister of Collingwood player Alf Dummett). Two of their sons, Herb Naismith and Alby Naismith, also played VFL football.
