Australian Football

George Hastings was a flamboyant and dashing wingman who was sometimes accused of 'playing to the crowd'. However, there could be no disputing his talent. He played in Essendon's first ever VFL team in 1897 and was a member both that year and 1901 of Same Old premiership sides. He played for the VFL against South Australia in 1903 and against country teams in 1901 and 1902. In 1903 he became only the third Essendon player to play 100 games and he added another nine before being forced to retire prior to the start of the 1904 season owing to a combination of illness and a serious knee injury. He later became a V FL field umpire and returned to Essendon as a committeeman between 1936 and 1938.

Author - John Devaney