Australian Football

After commencing his league career with Morningside, for whom he played in the losing Grand Finals of 1982 and 1983, Rod Willet was recruited by Subiaco in 1984. His arrival at the Lions coincided with that of ‘the little master’, Haydn Bunton junior, under whose orchestration the club would finally re-emerge as a force after more than a decade in the doldrums. Rod Willet’s contribution to that resurgence was considerable. 

Playing initially on a half back flank, the position he had occupied for much of his two year period in Queensland football, Willet rapidly developed into a solid and unflappable defender who refused to be intimidated.¹ Willet held down the half back flank position with considerable confidence and assurance when Subiaco finally returned to the WAFL winners’ rostrum in 1986 with a 69-point Grand Final thumping of East Fremantle. Two years later he was at full back, the position he would go on to make his own for a time, in the Lions’ equally emphatic Grand Final victory over Claremont.

Like good wine, Rod Willet seemed to improve with age. As his career developed, he demonstrated tremendous versatility, being equally at home in a key attacking position as in the backlines. In 1992 he topped Subiaco’s goal kicking list (with 43 goals), and the following year he was the recipient of the club’s fairest and best award. He had also captained the Lions in 1992.

Rod Willet retired after the 1995 season with 189 WAFL games to his credit, having also represented his home state of Queensland at state of origin level, and his adopted state of Western Australia in inter-league state football.

Author - John Devaney