Australian Football

Known descriptively as 'Jumbo', Geelong's Wally Sharland was recruited locally from Newtown, and made his senior VFL debut in 1920. Although he only managed 49 games in six seasons with the Pivotonians, he was widely considered to be one of the most accomplished ruckman of his day. He had the rare champions' ability of always appearing to have sufficient time to accomplish whatever manoeuvre he chose, and his all round skills were good.

An accurate palmer of the ball, Sharland could also function effectively as a ruck shepherd when required, using both his height (191 cm - tall for the time) and weight (83 kg) to good effect. The high regard in which Sharland was held is shown by his selection to represent the Big V on four occasions during his brief VFL career. Once that career was over he became a noted football writer.

Author - John Devaney