SIXTIES FOOTBALL LEGENDS
Hobart's Kerry Wilson was the last man standing in a controversial finish to the 1973 TFL first semi final. It was then that Wilson emerged from a big pack of players to claim a goal square mark in the dying minutes of the match. The
resulting kick seconds before the siren put Hobart in front, keeping their premiership hopes alive before a relentless march that saw them ultimately take the flag. As Wilson jokingly said "
someone had to do it.
"
Kerry Wilson started his career with the Hobart Tigers in 1961. He was surrounded by local league stars including the three "P's" Powell, Pascoe & Payne and it wasn't long before he and the club had a premiership under the
belt. As underdogs they overwhelmed Sandy Bay to take the 1963 flag. The Tigers repeated the dose in 1966, this time against Glenorchy by the barest possible margin. Then in 1973 in one of the greatest upsets in TFL history they out gunned the previously undefeated
Sandy Bay to take the premiership.
Wilson played in all three premierships over this ten year period and during his 15 season career clocked up almost 300 games. He starred with the Tigers, predominantly at centre half forward, and during his career consistently polled
well in the William Leitch medal and won a club Best & Fairest in 1969. Coached in 1963 by Mal Pascoe, 1966 by John Watts and in the 1973 upset by his former team mate Alan Appleton, Wilson has fondly recalled that the last flag was probably his greatest football
thrill. He remembers it like yesterday and unlike some of the Sandy Bay opposition, has sweet dreams about the game.
After retiring from the TFL in 1975 he had a short stint coaching Friends in the Amateurs before managing the Cornish Mount Hotel in Hobart for about 8 years. More recently he ran the Mayfair Newsagency in Sandy Bay before moving to the
Gold Coast.
Married to Alison they have three children: Justin and Nicholas who have both had a run in recent years with the Tigers and Christian who travels the high seas with the Navy.
Wilson named Burnie Payne, a dual William Leitch Medallist as the best among his team mates while the "Black Prince": Ulverstone's Arthur Hodgson was a stand out from any opposition side he saw in
the era.
They say a Tiger never loses his stripes and Kerry Wilson is a real Tiger who gave good service to the Hobart Football Club.
SOMEONE HAD TO DO IT!
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