Gary Ayres - 'Rarefied Ayres'

Coaching in Clubland

Gary Ayres is a five time VFL/AFL premiership player, two time Norm Smith medalist and former captain of his beloved Hawks, and of course an Australian Football Hall of Fame member. A tough and uncompromising defender, Gary also won the Hawks best and fairest in 1986 and is a three time All Australian. After hanging up the boots in 1993, Gary’s focus quickly turned to coaching, where he served a rapid fire apprenticeship as an assistant to Malcolm Blight at the Geelong Football Club in 1994, before quickly assuming the role of senior coach the following season and leading the Cats to a grand final appearance in his debut year at the helm. After five years at the Cats, Gary would move on to the Adelaide Crows for the 2000 season and coach them in 107 games, then having a quick stop over at Windy Hill as an assistant coach under Kevin Sheedy from 2006-2007, before landing at stand-alone VFL club Port Melbourne, where his record is truly remarkable. Two premierships, including the perfect 2011 season, and 11 finals appearances from 13 years, means that Gary now leaves behind an amazing legacy at the Borough.