Recruited from Carlton District, Chalmers was a wingman and debuted for Essendon in the 1911 season.
Wally Chalmers came to Essendon from the Carlton seconds, and commenced his career in the Victorian Football League (VFL) in 1911.
Under the captaincy of David Smith and coaching tenure of Jack Worrall,[5] Chalmers played on the wing, and within the space of his first season, he came to be recognised as the best wingman in the entire league.
[6] Essendon finished the season as minor premiers and met Collingwood in the 1911 VFL Grand Final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
In 1912, Chalmers, this time under the captaincy of Allan Belcher,[5] became a dual premiership player when Essendon defeated South Melbourne in the 1912 VFL Grand Final.