Ern Utting

Who is Ern Utting?

Ern 'Tich' Utting was an Australian rules footballer who played for Collingwood and Hawthorn in the Victorian Football League.

Utting started his league career with Collingwood but struggled to get game time in what was a strong side, although he managed to top their goalkicking in 1920 with 23 goals. After four years he left the club and joined Hawthorn who were then in the Victorian Football Association. He returned to the big time in 1925 and was a member of Hawthorn's inaugural VFL side. The Club Champion in 1927 and 1929, Utting was also the first Hawthorn footballer to play 100 VFL games. Playing mainly in the back pocket, he polled well in the Brownlow Medal during his career and finished in the top 10 on three occasions. He left the senior side at the end of 1932 but captained the seconds side in 1933, winning the Gardiner Medal for the league's best and fairest player.

Utting died in 1948.