Bill Williams

Recruited from Spotswood, Bill Williams was an exceptionally fast utility who rotated between ruck-rover, wing, and half-forward during his brief VFL career. He managed nine senior games for Richmond in the late 1940s but found it difficult to secure a permanent place in the side, eventually crossing to the VFA to play for Williamstown. After three seasons in the Association, Williams retired from football to focus entirely on professional sprinting, a decision that capitalised on his greatest athletic asset. He famously won the prestigious Stawell Gift in 1956, validating the blistering pace that had earlier defined his time on the football field.