Australian Football

Originally from Albury, Bill Wood played with South Sydney during the war, and some of his achievements attracted the attention of clubs in the VFL. In one match against Sydney Naval in 1943 he booted no fewer than 28 of his team's 31 goals en route to a league ladder-topping tally of 95 for the year. The following year he was invited to try out with Footscray after being recommended to the club by its star centreman Harry Hickey, who had played briefly with Wood while the pair were undertaking military service together.

Wood could scarcely have been more impressive on his VFL debut as he booted 9.1 in a best afield performance, and when his wartime service was over in 1946 he joined Footscray permanently. Neat and purposeful in everything he did, Wood topped his club's goal kicking list on four occasions, and amassed a total of 294 goals in a 115 game VFL career that ended somewhat sourly in 1951 when he was left on the bench for the entirety of the losing First Semi Final against Essendon.

Author - John Devaney