Wally Naismith

Walter Henry "Wally" Naismith (31 May 1881 – 9 January 1954)[1] was an Australian rules footballer who played for the Fitzroy Football Club and Melbourne Football Club in the Victorian Football League (VFL). He was the twin brother of Fitzroy player Charlie Naismith.

Wally Naismith
Personal information
Full name Walter Henry Naismith
Date of birth 31 May 1881
Place of birth Prahran, Victoria
Date of death 9 January 1954(1954-01-09) (aged 72)
Place of death Alphington, Victoria
Original team(s) Clifton Hill
Position(s) Defender
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
1902–1910 Fitzroy 143 (20)
1911–1912 Melbourne 036 0(0)
Total 179 (20)
Umpiring career
Years League Role Games
1915–1919 VFL Field umpire 11
1913–1927 VFL Boundary umpire 207
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1912.
Career highlights
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Playing mostly as a defender, Naismith was part of the strong Fitzroy side that won back to back premierships in 1904 and 1905. He left Fitzroy after the 1910 season and joined Melbourne, appearing 36 times for his new club over two seasons to bring his final VFL tally to 179 games. After retiring, Naismith was the field umpire for 11 VFL matches, from 1915 to 1919, but had more success as a boundary umpire, umpiring 207 matches from the boundary, from 1913 to 1927, including the 1919, 1920, 1922, 1925, 1926 and 1927 Grand Finals.[2]

In 1910, Naismith married Eva Emmeline Dummett (sister of Collingwood player Alf Dummett). Two of their sons, Herb Naismith and Alby Naismith, also played VFL football.

References
  1. The Argus,"Former league player dies", 11 January 1954, p. 17
  2. "Player/Umpires". Australian Football League Umpires Association. Retrieved 8 December 2010.


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