PRIMMER, Wayne

Wayne Primmer was a talented fair-haired rover from Woomelang in the Wimmera where he played from 1974 to 1976.

He was highly skilled and relied on lightning reflexes and speed to compensate for his lack of size. He was particularly dangerous around the goals and was Essendon's leading goalkicker in 1978 with 47 goals. By Round 6 that year had kicked seven goals in three different games.

After leaving Essendon, Primmer joined West Torrens in South Australia in 1980 and then returned to Victoria in 1981 to become captain-coach of Lalbert in the Mid-Murray League. He took them from second last to third on the ladder. He returned to Windy Hill in 1982 to have another crack at breaking into the VFL but failed to make the final list so he returned to Lalbert as a player for the rest of 1982.

He then spent several years playing and coaching in various country leagues. In 1983 he became captain-coach of Hamilton in the Western Border League, taking them to the finals. Next, he moved to Benalla in 1984 and 1985 and again took them to the finals. He spent 1986 just as a player before returning to coach them in 1987.

He returned to his home town, Woomelang, in 1988.