Ern Wadham did it all for Norwood - four times premiership ruckman, captain-coach, selector, committee person, assistant secretary, secretary, SANFL delegate. He gave 51 of his 71 years to the club. Ern also played seven games for SA, and when he died in 1973 was chairman of State selectors.

A talented allround sportsman, Ern had a natural rapport with the players throughout his long years of service, particularly from 1950 to 1967 when he held the reins as club secretary, and then until 1973, when he was assistant secretary. Every now and again there were stormy years at Norwood, and Ern called on that playerrelationship and needed all his considerable powers of persuasion and diplomacy more than once during his tenure. When he stepped down to the assistant’s role, he acted as a bridge between the old and the new at Norwood in changing times.

Ern was an untiring supporter of junior football and, as with an uncanny number of the club’s best administrators, he also made his presence felt at League level. Ern’s 24 years as a Norwood delegate are remembered at the SANFL as those of a friendly man with ability and integrity.

Games: 144 Goals: 156
Premierships: 1922 - 23, 1925, 1929
Captain-coach: 1931
Further honours: Norwood Player Life Member, SANFL Life Member, SA games 7.

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