Andrew Willis (rugby league)

Andrew Willis
Personal information
Born Australia
Playing information
Position Five-eighth/Stand-off, Halfback/Scrum-half, Centre

Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1993–1997 Wests Magpies 60 11 20 1 85
As of 19 July 2010
Source: RLP

Andrew Willis is an Australian former professional rugby league player for the Western Suburbs Magpies. He played in a number of backline positions

Club career

A Cootamundra junior,[1] Willis made his debut for Wests in 1993, originally playing either second-row or starting from the bench.[2] Throughout 1994 & 1995, Willis played five-eighth, but was unable to play more than a dozen games a season.

Willis is perhaps best remembered for kicking a 48-metre field goal to win a game against North Sydney Bears in 1996,[3] one of the longest of the modern era. Willis played every game of the 1996 season, and played in the semifinals,[2] which was to be the Magpies last ever semis appearance.

Willis only played a further 10 games. He later stated his retirement was due to, "a couple of injuries," and not, "training as hard as I could."[4] He was only 24 when he returned to playing local football with Camden.[4] He captain-coached them to a premiership in 2000, scoring a try in what was described as a star performance.[5] He represented Country Seconds that year.[6]

Later, Willis coached for Greater Southern[7] & the Western Suburbs Magpies SG Ball side.[8]

References

  1. ↑ "Bidgee Region". LeagueNet. Retrieved 19 July 2010.
  2. 1 2 "Matches played for the Western Suburbs Magpies". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 19 July 2010.
  3. ↑ Stuart Honeysett (10 July 2010). "Benji Marshall magic shines on spite night". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 19 July 2010.
  4. 1 2 "look who we bumped into". Footy Confidential. Sydney, NSW: News Limited (16 July 2010): pg 47.
  5. ↑ Paul Suttor (8 February 2014). "Picton pushed aside as Rams raid G6 crown". Illawarra Mercury. Retrieved 5 September 2013.
  6. ↑ Ben Drzyzga (21 April 2000). "O'Doherty racks up another milestone". Newcastle Herald. Retrieved 8 February 2014.
  7. ↑ Tim Keeble (9 May 2009). "Limited preparation no discomfort for Willis". Illawarra Mercury. Retrieved 8 February 2014.
  8. ↑ "MAGPIES OUT OF HAROLD MATTHEWS & SG BALL FINALS". rleague.com. Archived from the original on 5 May 2006. Retrieved 19 July 2010.

Sources

  • Alan Whiticker & Glen Hudson (2007). The Encyclopedia of Rugby League Players. Wetherill Park, New South Wales: Gary Allen Pty Ltd. ISBN 978-1-877082-93-1.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.