Australian Football

Footscray recruited Bill Findlay from Footscray Technical School Old Boys, and he made his VFL debut in 1933. However, he had trouble adapting to the demands of league football, and in two seasons managed just five senior games and eight goals, whereupon he was released to North Melbourne. As often seems to happen, a change of scenery somehow managed to elicit the player's full potential, and over the ensuing eleven seasons Findlay developed into one of the most damaging rovers in the game, playing 168 games and kicking 352 goals, as well as representing the VFL. He also captained North for two and a half years and was captain-coach for part of the 1942 season and the whole of 1943. Towards the end of his career with the Shinboners he began to spend more time resting in a forward pocket, and in his final three VFL seasons he topped the club's goal kicking list with tallies of 43, 55 and 49. 

After moving to Port Melbourne in 1946 he became an even more potent goal kicking threat, topping the Borough's goal-kicking list in his debut season with 88 goals, and the VFA's the following year with 107. For good measure, he won both his club's 1946 best and fairest award and the same year's Liston Trophy. Appointed captain-coach in 1947 he steered the club to its first flag since 1941. On Grand Final day, Findlay was the best player on view as the Borough comfortably overcame the challenge of Williamstown, leading at every change en route to a 15.15 (105) to 11.8 (74) triumph. An unexpected slump to 11th place the following year precipitated Bill Findlay's retirement after 62 VFA games. 

He did, however, end up playing briefly again. Appointed non-playing coach of Coburg in 1954 he was compelled on several occasions to take to the field when the club's playing resources were stretched. During Findlay's three seasons at Coburg the Lions were competitive, but did not manage to qualify for the finals.

In 2003, Bill Findlay was chosen as first rover in Port's official 'Team of the Twentieth Century'.

Author - John Devaney