Vic Hathaway

Born:  Hay,  Sept 1936       Died: 18 Aug 2002    
Came from: Beelbangera   Went to: 
First game: 26 Apr 1953      Last game: 25 Sept 1966
Appearances: 205   Goals: 118
League Rep.: 13      League Best and Fairest: 1957 & 1961
Other clubs played for: 1950-52 Beelbangera, 1962-63 Berrigan, 1967 Weethalle-Rankin Springs (c-c), 1968 Coleambally (c-c).

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Swans half-back plays his 200th match

Half-back flanker Vic Hathaway will play his 200th competition match for Griffith on Sunday when the Red and Whites meet Ganmain at the Ex-Servicemen's Oval. 
Since his first match in 1953, Hathaway has given his club tremendous service. Scrupulously fair in his play, few would rate as a better clubman. Indicative of his club spirit, Hathaway is also a committeeman as well as serving his side on the playing field. Freely rated as the best half back in the League his sense of fair play and sportsmanship is widely acknowledged by opponents as well as team-mates.
Vic Hathaway began his football as a 14-year-old in the Barellan League. He gave Beelbangera three years of service between 1950 and 1952 as well as playing senior football for that club.
In 1950 he gained selection in the New South Wales Schoolboys State side in the All-States Carnival in Hobart. N.S.W. won their first ever carnival premiership in 25 years, defeating Queensland in the grand final. To qualify, N.S.W. defeated Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia.
As a 16-year-old in 1953, Hathaway played his first season with Griffith and his first senior match, joining the club the year following their one and only South West premiership in 1952.
His ability and fair play won him no less than four club best and fairest awards in 1957, 1959, 1961 and 1965.
Playing continually with Griffith until 1961, Hathaway left the club for Berrigan in the Murray League in 1962, where he was assistant coach and then coach in 1963. As well, he was runner-up in the O'Dwyer Medal voting for best and fairest in 1963 and also represented the Murray League. 
South West football saw him in action once again with Griffith in 1964 when he returned from Berrigan to join Peter Morris' side that season.
Topping a remarkable run of four best and fairest awards with Griffith, Hathaway has twice won the Gammage Medal for its best and fairest player (1957 and 1961), and has been runner-up on one other occasion.
Hathaway has represented the South West League continuously since 1960,  apart from his two games through injury and his two seasons at Berrigan, he has played 13 games.
Apart from the customary honour of leading the Griffith team onto the ground against Ganmain on Sunday, Hathaway will be given a testimonial by the club. President, Mr John Lane has stated all supporters will be given the opportunity to financially support the testimonial. 
Apart from the All-States Carnival premiership in 1950, Vic has never played in a premiership side. - his big hope is to do it this season.

(By Jack Luhrs - The Area News, Friday July 22, 1966).