Wally Chalmers

Walter Henry Chalmers (16 September 1890 – 17 November 1966) was an Australian rules footballer who played with Essendon in the Victorian Football League (VFL).

Recruited from Carlton District, Chalmers was a wingman and debuted for Essendon in the 1911 season. He played in that year's premiership side and in another premiership side the following year. His career was interrupted by the First World War but he returned to Essendon in 1918 for one final season.

Personal life Wally Chalmers was the second of three sons of prominent Australian stage actors George Chalmers (1854–1937) and Katie Towers (1870–1946). George Chalmers was the stage name of George Weeks and Chalmers was born Walter Henry Weeks in Carlton, Victoria on 16 September 1890. He married Harriet Stuart Schilling (1889–1961) in 1914.

VFL career Wally Chalmers came to from the seconds, and commenced his career in the Victorian Football League (VFL) in 1911. Under the captaincy of David Smith and coaching tenure of Jack Worrall, Chalmers played on the wing, and within the space of his first season, he came to be recognised as the best wingman in the entire league. Essendon finished the season as minor premiers and met in the 1911 VFL Grand Final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Chalmers retained his position as a wingman for the game as Essendon defeated Collingwood by a goal, making Chalmers a premiership player in his first ever season at the senior level.

In 1911, Chalmers also represented the VFL in matches against sides from the Ballarat Football League and the Bendigo Football League.

In 1912, Chalmers, this time under the captaincy of Allan Belcher, Chalmers continued playing for Essendon, switching his No. 7 guernsey for No. 2, although he would only play a further 6 games before his career at the senior level concluded.

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