BIO

Recruited as a junior from the Athelstone Football Club, Hedley Trestrail played in Norwood’s 1946 pre-season trials. Described as small in stature but hard at the contest, Hedley was included in the final training list.

Chosen as a rover and forward pocket, he played the early part of the season in the Association (Reserves) side and featured consistently in best player and goal kicking lists. 

In early June, Hedley was chosen in the combined Association team that played against a Yorke Peninsula side at Wallaroo.

Having been chosen as a reserve on two occasions, an injury to Norwood captain coach, Jack Oatey, gave him the chance to take his place in the league starting line-up. Despite losing to Sturt, Trestrail impressed with his performance. One reporter describing him as a “Plucky, little rover with an aptitude for snapping up the ball from the crunches.”

As was to be often the case in his career, once the injured player regained fitness, Hedley returned either to the bench or the Association team. He missed out on selection for the 1946 Grand Final side and instead travelled to Whyalla with the Association team for a game against North Whyalla on the Sunday.

Trestrail trained with West Torrens during the 1947 pre-season but on failing to gain a clearance returned to Norwood.

For the next two seasons he continued his fine form in the Association team, while making a number of league appearances as a back up whenever Oatey or Drage was unavailable.

Hedley was named as a reserve for final league appearance in the 1948 semi-final against West Torrens but once again he later missed selection in what was to be the 1948 premiership team

B Ridge August 2020
.