Part of an exclusive club as a 200-game player and coach at AFL level, Terry Wallace went from making his name as the best centreman of his era to an 11 season career as coach at two clubs.
He enjoyed a glittering playing career that included three premierships with Hawthorn, and four best and fairest awards (two at both Footscray and the Hawks).
Although not overly quick, Wallace had great courage in the packs. He was nicknamed “Plough” in reference to his ability to burrow into packs and accumulate great tallies of possessions.
While his approach was not glamorous, it was hard-working and passionate - two qualities he has carried through to his coaching.
Terry enjoyed a successful tenure at the Western Bulldogs as coach, taking a team in crisis and turning them into a regular finals contender during his six and a half year stint.
Achievements:
Highlights of his coaching career to date include two preliminary final appearances as well as taking the Bulldogs from 15th to 3rd in the space of a season in 1996-97.
After nearly seven years as coach, Wallace left the Bulldogs in search of a new challenge. His subsequent work as a media commentator with Fox Footy, the Herald Sun and 3AW earned widespread praise for Wallace’s excellent ability to analyse and explain the modern game.
However, as a self-proclaimed career coach, Wallace returned to the fold as coach of Richmond in 2005. Under his charge, the Tigers narrowly missed the finals in three of his five years at the helm.
Having finished with the Tigers in mid-2009, Wallace is currently a sought-after media commentator, given he is fresh from the inner sanctum. SEN have him as part of their on-air team at present, with Wallace impressing with his insights.
