Bill Windley
South Melbourne
AFL career
129 games36 goals
- Debut
- R1 1897 v MEL8 May 1897
- Most recent
- SR2 1905 v CAR2 Sept 1905
Stats
Bio
A local South Melbourne product, Bill Windley was already an established star in the VFA before becoming a foundational figure in the club's inaugural VFL campaign. Already 28 years old when the new league was formed in 1897, the diminutive rover was immediately appointed as the Bloods' first VFL captain, a position he held for two seasons while helping to establish the club's identity in the fledgling competition.
Windley built a reputation as a tireless and clever follower who compensated for his lack of height with exceptional stamina and football smarts. Remarkably durable for the era, he remained a consistent performer well into his thirties, playing 129 games over nine seasons in the major competition. He retired in 1905 as one of South Melbourne's most respected early pioneers, having bridged the gap between the club's VFA roots and its emergence on the national stage.
Profile
- Born
- 28 Nov 1868
- Died
- 30 Aug 1953 (aged 84y 275d)
- Birthplace
- South Melbourne, VIC
- Deathplace
- Windsor, VIC
Teams
Honours
- South Melbourne/Sydney captain(2×) 1900, 1902
Bio
1 revisionA local South Melbourne product, Bill Windley was already an established star in the VFA before becoming a foundational figure in the club's inaugural VFL campaign. Already 28 years old when the new league was formed in 1897, the diminutive rover was immediately appointed as the Bloods' first VFL captain, a position he held for two seasons while helping to establish the club's identity in the fledgling competition.
Windley built a reputation as a tireless and clever follower who compensated for his lack of height with exceptional stamina and football smarts. Remarkably durable for the era, he remained a consistent performer well into his thirties, playing 129 games over nine seasons in the major competition. He retired in 1905 as one of South Melbourne's most respected early pioneers, having bridged the gap between the club's VFA roots and its emergence on the national stage.