Wally May

Wally May (11 September 1926 – 16 May 2011) was an Australian rules footballer in the Victorian Football League (VFL) and later in the South Australian Football League SANFL.

Runner-up in Essendon's best and fairest award in 1951, May asked for a clearance two years later to Sturt, and when this was refused, he stood out of football for a year until it was granted.

In four seasons with the Double Blues, May played a total of 54 league games, plus 2 for South Australia, winning his club's best and fairest award in 1955. The 1956 season saw him installed as captain-coach, but after a dismal season that produced just 3 wins and a draw from 18 games, he resigned, citing 'business reasons'. He decided to remain with the club as a player under his replacement coach, Ed Tilley. After retiring from the sport, May remained in Adelaide and worked as a caster and a commenter talent during SANFL match telecasts.

Wally “Chooka” May was originally chosen as a commentator by Channel 9’s Mike Petersen because of his controversial reputation as one of football’s hitmen during his 54 games as a defender/ruckman for Sturt 1954-57. As a television commentator, he was regarded as a gentle giant.

May also appeared on the Channel 9 Sunday football show, compered by Max Hall from 1966-79. Hall, a former South Australian league football umpire, started commentating on the game for Radio 5KA in 1958 through to 1971. He also hosted the Magarey Medal presentation (later with Kevin Crease). He became part of the South Australian Football Hall of Fame.

Extensive radio coverage of South Australian Football League games continued in the television era with former star players such as Jim Deane and Lindsay Backman featured on ABC radio (then 5AN). Wally May died on Monday, 16 May 2011.