Ron Hillis was inducted into the Swans Hall of Fame in 2013.

Ron Hillis

1929-1937
137 games
16 goals
Best & Fairest 1930, 1935

Bio 

Although Ron Hillis joined South Melbourne from local club Middle Park as a full-forward, he developed into one of the greatest full-backs to have played for the Club. After originally being rejected by the Club, he made his senior debut in 1929 and, after the move to full-back the following year, became the rock on which the team’s defence was built.  A brilliant mark and a magnificent kick, he won the Club Best & Fairest in 1930 and, as South scoured Australia for talent in the “Foreign Legion” era, Hillis’ spot at full-back was never challenged. His duels with Collingwood goalkicking champion Gordon Coventry were legendary, and Hillis invariably had the better of the Magpie star Ron represented Victoria four times, but unfortunately never played in a South premiership side. He missed the 1933 triumph because of injury and, inexplicably, was overlooked for the team defeated by Collingwood in the 1934 grand final. Ron was so disappointed he threatened to cross to Fitzroy, but eventually remained loyal to the Swans and won a second Best and Fairest in 1935. Hillis retired in 1937 after playing 137 games in the red and white.