Australian Football

Fred Williams was a small but gifted wingman who was a key member of Fitzroy's strong teams of the early 1920s, and beyond. He arrived at the Maroons from Bacchus Marsh Football League side Melton and made his VFL debut in 1920. Two years later he was in his favoured position on the wing as Fitzroy won its first flag in nine years by overcoming Collingwood in the Challenge Final by 11 points.

Williams made his interstate debut for the VFL in 1923 in a 47-point loss to South Australia. He also later represented the VFL's B side. Far and away the greatest disappointment of his career must have been missing the Roys' 1923 Challenge Final clash with Essendon owing to injury. Wilson had been in superb touch all year, and and his energy, pace and incisiveness were badly missed as the Same Old's famed 'mosquito fleet' took control of the game after half time to see Essendon home by 17 points.

In 1929, after 106 VFL games and 18 goals for Fitzroy, Fred Williams crossed to Carlton where, over the ensuing four seasons, he added a final 46 games and six goals.

Author - John Devaney