Gary Ayres

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Gary Ayres (born September 28, 1960) is a former Australian rules footballer and coach.

1 Playing career
2 Post-playing career
- 2.1 Coaching career
- 2.2 Media career

[edit] Playing career

Beginning his football career with the Hawthorn Football Club in 1978, he had an illustrious career spanning from 1978-1993, playing 269 games and booting 70 goals. He was part of an amazing 5 premiership teams - 1983, 1986, 1988, 1989, and 1991, adjudged best on ground in 1986 and 1988, winning the Norm Smith Medal. He also captained the Hawks in his final two years from 1992-1993. Gary played most of his football in the back pocket.

[edit] Post-playing career

[edit] Coaching career

After retiring, Ayres turned to coaching, first at Geelong, where he coached from 1995 to 1999, including taking the team to a Grand Final in his first year.

In 2000 he took over at the Adelaide Football Club and took the Crows to the finals in three consecutive years (2001-2003) but did not make a Grand Final. Ayres quit midseason, walking out of the club's office at West Lakes when told his contract would not be renewed beyond that season. He was succeeded by Neil Craig.

In 2006 he returned to the coaching fray, signing up as assistant coach at the Essendon Football Club alongside veteran Kevin Sheedy.

[edit] Media career

In 2005 Ayres spent the year in the media on Fox Footy. Prior to that he also had a stint on Talking Footy.

Preceded by Simon Madden	Norm Smith Medallist 1986	Succeeded by David Rhys-Jones
Preceded by David Rhys-Jones	Norm Smith Medallist 1988	Succeeded by Gary Ablett
Preceded by Malcolm Blight	Geelong Football Club coach 1995-1999	Succeeded by Mark Thompson
Preceded by Malcolm Blight	Adelaide Football Club coach 2000-2004	Succeeded by Neil Craig