Australian Football

Recruited locally from Bassendean, Brent Hutton took a few seasons to find his feet at Swan Districts, and in truth was always somewhat prone to inconsistency, but his best was inspirational and highly effective. He made his league debut in 1982, and spent his first couple of seasons alternating between attack and defence, as well as between the firsts and seconds. Then, in 1984 he was tried at full forward, and promptly produced probably the best season of his career, kicking 83 goals to become only the third Swans player to top the league's goal kicking list. He also got to play in a premiership team, contributing five goals to his side's 20.18 (138) to 15.12 (102) grand final victory over East Fremantle.

In 1985, however, Hutton's form nosedived, and he spent much of the second half of the season playing in defence in an unsuccessful attempt to rediscover his confidence and touch. Handed the club captaincy in 1987 following Don Langsford's departure to the newly formed West Coast Eagles, Hutton enjoyed another good season, highlighted by selection in Western Australia's team to face South Australia at the WACA Ground. Starting on the interchange bench, he did well to boot three of his state's nine goals for the match.

Hutton's improved 1987 form earned him a place on West Coast's list the following year, but he struggled to win a regular place in the team, and managed just 13 appearances and nine goals in two seasons. In the meantime, he continued his Swans career, which was highlighted in 1990 by participation in another Grand Final triumph, this time at the expense of Claremont. In 1991 Brent Hutton was made a life member of the Swan Districts Football Club. He retired in 1992, aged 28, having played 151 games for Swans and kicked 236 goals.

Author - John Devaney