Bill Spokes
Fitzroy
AFL career
5 games3 goals
- Debut
- R16 1943 v CAR28 Aug 1943
- Most recent
- R5 1944 v FSC3 June 1944
Stats
Bio
A tough-as-nails VFA journeyman who found his way to Fitzroy during the talent squeeze of the Second World War, Bill Spokes brought a pugilist’s instinct to the football field. Having already played across the Association for Preston, Brunswick, and Williamstown—where he featured in the Seagulls' 1939 premiership side—Spokes was a professional middleweight boxer who never shied away from a physical contest. His brief stint with the Gorillas came while the VFA was in recess, providing a hardened body for a side depleted by enlistments, though he managed to snag a few goals during his short stay. His top-level career was ultimately curtailed by his own service in the RAAF, and following the cessation of hostilities, he returned to the VFA rather than pursuing further opportunities in the big league.
Profile
- Born
- 13 Nov 1912
- Died
- 31 Oct 1985 (aged 72y 352d)
- Birthplace
- Essendon, VIC
- Deathplace
- Northcote, VIC
- Height
- 180 cm
- Weight
- 87 kg
Teams
Bio
1 revisionA tough-as-nails VFA journeyman who found his way to Fitzroy during the talent squeeze of the Second World War, Bill Spokes brought a pugilist’s instinct to the football field. Having already played across the Association for Preston, Brunswick, and Williamstown—where he featured in the Seagulls' 1939 premiership side—Spokes was a professional middleweight boxer who never shied away from a physical contest. His brief stint with the Gorillas came while the VFA was in recess, providing a hardened body for a side depleted by enlistments, though he managed to snag a few goals during his short stay. His top-level career was ultimately curtailed by his own service in the RAAF, and following the cessation of hostilities, he returned to the VFA rather than pursuing further opportunities in the big league.