Born: September 28, 1960
Recruited: Warragul FC
Played: 1978 - 1993
Debut Order: 661
First game: Round 18, 1978
Last game: Elimination Final 1993
Guernsey: 7
Games: 269
Goals: 70
Captain: 1992 - 1993
Vice-Captain: 1987 - 1991
Premierships: 1983, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1991
Night Premierships: 1985, 1986, 1988, 1991, 1992
Club Champion: 1986
2nd Club Champion: 1989
Life Member: 1987
Team of the Century: 2001
Hall of Fame Inductee: 2007

VFL / AFL Honours
Norm Smith Medal: 1986, 1988
State Captain: 1989
State Representative 6
All-Australian: 1983, 1986, 1988
VFL/AFL Life Member: 1996
AFL Hall of Fame: 1999

Gary Ayres was one of the toughest, most relentless Hawks, making a name for himself as a solid core defender in the great sides of the 1980s.  Cool in a crisis, coach Allan Jeans paid him the ultimate tribute, “A great driver in heavy traffic” - a tribute to his ability to handle pressure when need be. Ayres was often moved to the centre in difficult games with telling effect. He created history to be the first player to win two Norm Smith medals, named best on ground in the 1986 and 1988 premierships.