AFL Tasmania is pleased to announce the next new inductee to the Tasmanian Football Hall of Fame, undoubtedly one of Tasmania’s greatest rovers, Hector Brooks.
Born in 1894, Brooks was educated at the Hobart Central State School where he developed an outstanding early reputation, captaining the school team and representing the south in many intrastate schoolboy matches.
His earliest taste of men’s football came via junior club Standfast in 1912, during which time he declined an offer to play with TFL club North Hobart, followed by a season in NSW playing with prominent Sydney club Newtown.
Brooks enlisted upon the outbreak of the First World War and served on the western front with distinction, rising to the rank of Sergeant and being awarded a Military Medal for bravery.
He nevertheless managed to maintain an involvement with football, captaining the 12th Battalion Team and playing in an AIF 1st Division combined side.
Brooks returned to Hobart post-war and joined North Hobart in 1920, the now-26-year-old quickly establishing himself as one of the most brilliant players in Southern football.
Despite his, as it was put at the time, “Lilliputian stature” of 5’2” (157cm), he was a key member of North Hobart’s TFL and State premiership sides of 1920 and 1923, forming a famous partnership with fellow champion Jack Dunn and winning North Hobart’s trophy for ‘Most Consistent’ in seven consecutive seasons.
Naturally an automatic selection in TFL combined sides, Brooks starred in the famous win over South Australia at Adelaide in 1923, while at home he was three times named as Best on Ground in intrastate contests.
In addition, Brooks represented Tasmania in seven games across the 1924 (Hobart) and 1927 (Melbourne) National Carnivals, more than holding his own against the mainland’s best rovers.
It was also during this period that Brooks was the subject of one of Tasmanian football’s most famous anecdotes: in September 1923, PMG linesman Brooks was dispatched to repair a fault 25km from Hobart on the morning of a match that would see a North Hobart victory clinch the premiership.
Brooks motorcycled to Longley and back in time to join the match part way through the third quarter, kicking two goals to help North Hobart defeat New Town by 21 points; it was rumoured that Brooks’ boss was a New Town supporter.
Brooks moved north to City for the 1928 season - playing in the club’s NTFA and State premierships under Roy Cazaly - before spending his final years back in the TFL with New Town, playing his final match in 1930 at the age of 36.
He subsequently took up field umpiring, officiating junior and country matches for nearly a decade while still occasionally strapping on the boots in charity matches.
He remained a passionate football - and North Hobart - fan well into his later years, passing away aged 90 in 1984.
A legend of the North Hobart Football Club, his selection in the Demons’ official Team of the Century 16 years later was thoroughly deserved.
Hector Brooks will be honoured alongside his fellow Hall of Fame inductees at AFL Tasmania’s night of nights later this month.
For the first time since the inaugural Hall of Fame Gala Dinner – Icons Royce Hart, Peter Hudson and Ian Stewart will all be in attendance, offering a special opportunity to talk to the trio in an exciting time for the game in Tasmania.
The night will feature five new inductees, one Icon elevation and the induction of George Town’s legendary team that won eight flags in a row from 2002 – 2009.
The Gala Dinner taking place on Friday February 28 at My State Bank Arena.
Tickets are available now for $185 each, to book your seat please email events@afltas.com.au