If Bill Hutchison had ever written an autobiography, it probably would have been titled the King and I. It would have told the story of a brilliant rover who formed a remarkable partnership with King Richard – the great Dick Reynolds. Hutchison’s modesty would have dictated such a title. But for those who watched him play it would have been a title that sold him short, for Bill Hutchison was footballing royalty in his own right.
Hutchison, the perfect gentleman, was also the perfect rover. He has blistering speed, was elusive and a superb kick, whether hitting star full-forward John Coleman on the chest with pinpoint passes or slotting through goals from acute angles. He arrived at Essendon in 1942, and when his playing days finished 16 seasons later he had collected almost every accolade the game had to offer.
Hutchison won two Brownlow Medals, finished second once and third twice. And it’s only the peculiarities of an umpire’s voting that cost him a place alongside triple Medallists Reynolds, Ian Stewart, Haydn Bunton and Bob Skilton. He was beaten in the 1955 count by a vote. The eventual winner, South Melbourne full-back Fred Goldsmith, somehow collected three votes in a match against Essendon in which his opponent, Hugh Mitchell, kicked nine goals! Reynolds later noted that Hutchison had been denied his due. “Bill was the best rover Essendon had ever had. He should have won three Brownlow Medals,” he said.
Still, it probably doesn’t matter in the wash-up. Besides his outstanding Brownlow record, Hutchison played in 10 Grand Finals and four Premiership sides. He won the Essendon best and fairest an amazing seven times and kicked 496 goals. It was 290 games of sheer brilliance. He also represented Victoria on 30 occasions, captained them twice and was twice made an All Australian.
Hutchison was born in Kensington, just down the road from Windy Hill, and played junior football with the Essendon Stars. Hutchison always followed Essendon and was an unashamed fan of Dick Reynolds and Keith Forbes as a teenager. “I can still see Forbes running around the boundary at top pace and without a hitch in his stride drop kicking goals from the boundary,” Hutchison later reminisced. They were images that drove him to the top – he revered the red and black.
Future teammate Bill Brittingham first came across the brilliant young Hutchison while playing for the Essendon thirds against the Essendon Stars. During the match Brittingham received a heavy blow to the stomach and was writhing on the ground in pain. Hutchison ran over to Brittingham and pulled his knees to his chest to try to ease the pain. It was typical of the sportsmanship that became synonymous with the name Hutchison. The pair went on to play together and became very good friends.
Throughout his career Hutchison was greatly admired for his sportsmanship. Lou Richards wrote in the 1957 Sporting Globe. “Hutchy was one of the best rovers I’ve seen in the game. He was scrupulously fair and I never knew of him doing anything mean on or off the field.” Jack Hale coached Hawthorn in the 1950s. “He played his football as he lived his life,” said Hale. “I don’t think we have ever had a better rover or a better man on or off the field.” And then there was this offering from respected umpire Allan Nash: “He was an ornament to Australian Rules Football and such a fair and clever player that he was a brilliant example to all young boys in the game.”
Even though umpires obviously held him in high regard, Hutchison wasn’t afraid to argue with them occasionally. It was the only fault he had, according to Reynolds, who believes that tendency to argue with the umpires may also have cost him a third Brownlow. In fact, Hutchison himself tempered his views at the completion of his career. “I didn’t always agree with their decisions but I will say they do just as good a job as the players do. I found them co-operative and always felt they tried to give the players confidence,” he said.
The Bill Hutchison biography is taken from Champions of Essendon the book. Click here for more details about the Champions of Essendon book.
