BIO

Walter Thomas J " Wally" Hearn played first 18 for Rostrevor College (1963-1966), captaining the team in his final year, with future Glenelg legend Peter Marker as his vice-captain. A talented all-round sportsman, Hearn also captained the school's first 11 cricket team. 
 
Hearn made his league debut in the last minor round game of 1967 and was also named the team's best first year player in the reserves.
 
He played another three league games in 1968, but the solid defender struggled to find a permanent spot in the Norwood senior team.
 
Hearn played reserves in the 1969 and 1970 teams that went on to win back to back premierships.

He then transferred to South Adelaide, playing 13 games in 1971.
 
Hearn returned to The Parade after his playing days were over and served the club well in a variety of off-field positions.

He was first appointed recruiting officer in 1984, and continued to fill that role well after he had been awarded life membership of the Norwood Football Club in 2001. At different times he also served on the NFC Committee, NFC Board and the Player Welfare Committee.

Walter Hearn's father, Walter Joseph (Wally) Hearn, played 37 league games for South Adelaide from 1945-1948. Educated at Rostrevor/Christian Brothers College, he was an exceptional sportsman and represented the school in athletics, cricket, football and tennis. He was captain of the athletics, cricket and tennis teams and in 1939 was awarded the Gosse Medal for the best and fairest player in the student's grade football competition.

Walter Hearn was a centre half-forward, also capable of playing as a ruckman resting in the forward lines. In 1945, having spent some time in amateur league football, he joined South Adelaide after receiving a clearance from Sturt.

R Cialini Nov 2018, July 2023