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Full name
Wayne Kenneth Otway
Known as
Wayne Otway
Born
24 June 1956 (age 67)
Age at first & last AFL game
First game: 25y 276d
Last game: 27y 36d
Height and weight
Height: 168 cm
Weight: 73 kg
Senior clubs
East Perth; Essendon
Jumper numbers
Essendon: 15
Recruited from
East Perth (1982); Essendon (1984)
Club | League | Career span | Games | Goals | Avg | Win % | AKI | AHB | AMK | BV |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
East Perth | WAFL | 1976-1981, 1984-1986 | 143 | 230 | 1.61 | — | — | — | — | — |
Essendon | V/AFL | 1982-1983 | 36 | 65 | 1.81 | 64% | 13.92 | 5.67 | 1.81 | 14 |
Total | 1976-1986 | 179 | 295 | 1.65 | — | — | — | — | — |
AFL: 9,320th player to appear, 5,087th most games played, 1,659th most goals kickedEssendon: 889th player to appear, 426th most games played, 138th most goals kicked
A gritty and determined rover with a keen goal sense, Wayne Otway achieved plenty in the game, but might have achieved a lot more had he not been such a frequent victim of injury, particularly later in his career. Initially on Swan Districts' list, he crossed to East Perth prior to the 1976 season without having played a league game. He commenced with the Royals later that year, and quickly impressed with his capacity for winning possession under duress, and using the ball effectively.
He was a key member of East Perth's 1978 premiership side when he rated high among the best players in the two-point Grand Final defeat of Perth. Otway's fairest and best award win two years later further endorsed his status as one of the pre-eminent small men in the competition, and it was a surprise to some that he failed to win state selection.
The 1982 season brought a fresh challenge as Otway embarked on a VFL stint with Essendon. In two seasons with the Bombers he played 36 senior games and kicked 65 goals. His best, as always, was extremely impressive, but his overall effectiveness was curtailed by persistent, niggling injuries. These continued to beset him on his return to the west, and in his first season back he managed just eight senior appearances. He persisted, however, and in his last couple of seasons his experience was invaluable in a young side endeavouring to revitalise the club's long deflated fortunes. Otway's WAFL career with the Royals comprised 143 senior games, and saw him kick 230 goals.
Author - John Devaney