Australian Football

After failing to establish himself at his first two clubs, Fitzroy and Collingwood, Tony Woods hit his straps with Hawthorn to become a highly important, if sometimes underrated, player.

Originally from Old Paradians he joined Fitzroy ahead of the 1989 season but managed just 13 games in two years. In 1991 he did not play football opting instead to go travelling. On his return to Australia he was picked up by Collingwood but struggled once again to make his mark, playing just 18 games in three seasons.

Things could not have been different during his time with Hawthorn as he played 142 games and kicked 26 goals between 1995 and 2002. One reason for the improvement could have been that he shed six kilos in weight and developed enhanced stamina as a result. On one occasion his coach at the time, Ken Judge, opined that Woods was the best ‘run with’ player in the AFL.

After playing for most of his career as a defender or tagger he reinvented himself as a more attacking player in 2001 in order to comply with new coach Peter Schwab’s vision of how the game should be played.

After retiring as a player Woods spent time assisting the Gold Coast Suns Football Club as it prepared for its admission to the AFL. Then in 2010 he was appointed as the AFL’s first International Development Manager.

Author - John Devaney