Michael Woolnough

Recruited from St Joseph's in the local Geelong Football League, Michael Woolnough overcame significant early career setbacks to establish himself as a reliable wingman at the elite level. While his initial seasons at Kardinia Park were hampered by persistent knee and hamstring issues, he eventually shook off these ailments to become a fixture in the Cats' lineup from 1974 onwards. A distinctive fair-headed player known for his impressive stamina and ability to take a strong overhead mark, Woolnough was a consistent worker who bored in hard to win possession and provided constant drive along the flanks.

After more than a hundred games in the hoops, Woolnough crossed to Collingwood in 1979, joining the club during the intense "Hafey's Heroes" era. He slotted into the Magpies' senior side effectively, adding experience and run to a team that was consistently challenging for the flag. His career concluded on the biggest stage of all, with his final league appearance coming in the 1980 Grand Final loss to Richmond, where he started on the interchange bench. His connection to league football continued into the next generation when his son, Marc, was drafted to Geelong under the father-son rule in the late 1990s.