[5] Instead of returning to South Ballarat, Hearn instead transferred to Lascelles in the Mallee Football Association in June to play alongside another of his brothers, John.
[6][7] However, Hearn soon reneged on his transfer and stayed at South Ballarat, eventually playing in that year's grand final as they won the premiership over Horsham in the Ballarat–Wimmera League.
Searching for a new club to play for after his indiscretions at Minyip prevented him from returning, Hearn tried out with Geelong in the VFL in early April alongside younger brother Leslie.
[25][26] Neither brother was selected in the side's practice match squads later that month, and so Hearn went west, joining Coleraine in the Western District Football League.
[27][28] Hearn dominated the league, booting six goals in the grand final to steer Coleraine to premiership victory in a match where he was described as being "in rare form in attack".
[31] He falsified details on his attestation form, giving his name as William Hearn and changing his year of birth to 1913 to avoid being refused acceptance due to prior convictions.
[32] During Hearn's four-and-a-quarter years in the Army, he attained the rank of Private yet committed numerous misdemeanours, of which at least 16 offences were listed on his service and casualty forms.