The Hall of Fame recognises players, coaches, administrators and officials who have made a significant contribution to the Essendon Football Club since the club’s inception in 1872.
Hunter played 109 games for Essendon between 1921-1927 and 1929, including the 1924 premiership. He was an accomplished player, a player’s advocate, a stop-gap coach, long term committeeman, inaugural president of the past players and officials association, vice president, treasurer and founding member of the coterie group, Essendonians. His service was both varied and enduring spanning 50 eventful years.
Hunter was 19 years old when he arrived at Essendon in 1921, the year before the club moved to Windy Hill, and began an association with the club that would last until his death in 1971.
In just his second season, the tough and determined fullback caught the eye of state selectors and was chosen to represent Victoria for the first time. He would go on to play for the state four times between 1922 and 1927.
After a stellar 1923 season, Hunter missed the grand final through injury after being among Essendon’s best in the semi final against South Melbourne. But he was back to his best in 1924 and played every game and all three finals games that year, winning a premiership medal.
Hunter was appointed vice captain in 1927, missed the 1928 season owing to a job transfer and returned for his final season in 1929.
After retiring, Hunter had coaching stints in the VFA with Yarraville and then Preston, before he returned to Windy Hill in 1937 as a committeeman and two years later in 1939, while still serving on committee he joined a young Dick Reynolds as joint coach of the team for one season. That same year Hunter became chairman of selectors, a position he held initially for three years and again between 1962 and 1970, a period during which Essendon won two premierships in 1962 and 1965.
Hunter also became the inaugural president of the Essendon Ex-Players and Officials Association. He was vice president between 1956 and 1960 and the following year Hunter took on the role of club treasurer, a position he held until his death.
A further five members were also inducted in to the Hall of Fame today including Alec Epis, Mark Harvey, Barry Capuano, Dr Bruce Reid and Gary O’Donnell.
Alec Epis has been a popular and colourful figure at Essendon since he arrived at Windy Hill from Western Australia in 1958. Epis was a natural on the field, and made his debut in Round 3, 1958. He soon distinguished himself as a tough half back flanker with a powerful drop kick. Epis was named amongst the best players in the club’s 1962 Grand Final win over Carlton and won state honours in 1960 and 1963. Epis would go on to win a second premiership medal in 1965 and retired after the 1968 season. He later joined the club committee and served in various capacities until 2008.
Mark Harvey played 206 games for Essendon between 1984-1997, and had tremendous natural ability as a half-forward, and later centre half-back. Harvey was a three-time premiership player, a best and fairest winner, a leading goalkicker and two-time All-Australian. After his retirement, Harvey served as an assistant coach between 1998-2005 and was part of the coaching staff that prepared Essendon’s 2000 team for the best season in league history.
Barry Capuano was a dashing winger whose contribution to Essendon has spanned 50 years and continues today. Capuano arrived at Windy Hill in 1958 and in only his tenth senior game played in the 1959 Grand Final. He was one of Essendon’s best in the 1962 premiership win over Carlton and the following year he was selected for the Victorian side. Capuano retired at the end of 1966 and returned to Essendon from 1974 where he served on the selection committee. Today, Capuano serves as president of the Essendon Past Players and Officials Association.
Dr Bruce Reid was appointed medical officer in 1982 and has been at Essendon for 34 seasons and over 737 games. Reid arrived at Windy Hill after being approached by former Richmond player and then Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy. When Reid arrived, the club had won 12 flags, and today that count is 16.
Gary O’Donnell played 243 games for Essendon in a remarkably consistent career that included a premiership medal, a best and fairest medal, the club captaincy, nine interstate jumpers and an All-Australian selection. O’Donnell was made captain of Essendon in 1996 and 1997 before retiring later that year.comments powered by Disqus
