Australian Football

A classy performer in the true Cats' tradition, it was fitting that Fred Wooller should end up captaining Geelong to a premiership. Quick thinking, elusive, strong overhead and a superb kick, he made his VFL debut midway through the 1956 season as a full forward, and that was the position in which he played, on the whole impressively, for the first four years of his career.

In 1957, Wooller topped the Cats' goal kicking list with the commendable tally of 56 goals - commendable, that is, in the context of a season which yielded just five wins and a draw from 18 games, consigning the side to its first wooden spoon since the war. Still aged just 18, Wooller was selected to represent the VFL on three occasions in 1957, booting seven goals. At club level he topped the Cats' goal-kicking twice more, and in 1960, after being moved to centre half forward, began producing the best and most consistent football of his career, earning himself that season's club best and fairest award.

In 1963, Wooller was appointed club skipper and had the satisfaction of leading the side to its best season for a decade, culminating in a Grand Final in which minor premier Hawthorn was run ragged during a final term that saw the Cats add six goals to none to win by 49 points. Wooller, who kicked three goals from centre half forward, was one of the victors' best players.

However, Wooller's form took a sudden, inexplicable dip in 1964, and after the Cats lost the Preliminary Final to Collingwood he decided to leave the club and take up the position of captain-coach of NWFU side, Penguin, where he spent the final four seasons of his career. In 1966, his tally of 61 goals for the season was good enough to top the NWFU's goal-kicking ladder. Wooller also played in defence on occasion during his time with the Penguins, and in 2003 he was selected on a half back flank in the club's official 'Team of the Century'.

Author - John Devaney