Wally Buttsworth, one of Essendon's greatest ever players, has passed away at the age of 84. Buttsworth was a brilliant centre half back for the Bombers between 1939 and 1949. He played in two premierships and won three best and fairest awards during a golden era for the club. Buttsworth was renowned for his toughness but he was a highly-skilled player who was an excellent exponent of the drop kick.

Buttsworth, who grew up in Perth, was very popular among his teammates. He enjoyed a night out with his close friends Gordon Abbott, Jack Cassin and Bob Syme. Teammates described him as “well-mannered” and “one of the boys who hardly said a word on the football field”. Murray Hicks, a former Essendon committeman said Buttsworth wasn’t your ‘larrikin type’. “He never got into trouble … gees he was a good bloke. Wally enjoyed a drink and a bet and he loved to socialise with his teammates. He went to all the Cabaret dances that where held every Saturday night under the Reynolds stand at Windy Hill"".

Wally Buttsworth features in the Champions of Essendon. Buttsworth is in Group 14 which also includes Fred Baring, Norm Beckton and Bob McLure.