Bill Ryan (footballer)
Encyclopedia
William Ronald Bill' Ryan (born 26 November 1944) is a former Australian rules football
er who played with Geelong
in the VFL
.
Ryan, who was recruited from Swan Hill, could play as a ruckman
, centre half back and key position forward. He participated in the 1967 Grand Final
but his side lost and he would never play in another. A strong mark of the ball, he finished equal fifth in the 1971 Brownlow Medal count. The same year he kicked a career best 67 goals, with eight of them coming against Footscray at Kardinia Park.
He is often remembered for a match winning goal he kicked after the siren
against Collingwood at his home ground in the 1967 season. With Geelong down by five points he took a mark 15 metres out but as Ryan was noted for his wayward kicking at goal it was no certainty. His shot was smothered Collingwood's Terry Waters
but he got another opportunity when the umpire decided that Waters had run over the mark.
Ryan finished his football career in Queensland, playing for both Coorparoo
and Southport during the 1970s. Most successful at Southport, he appeared in a total of five premiership sides. In both 1974 and 1975 he captained the Queensland interstate team and once kicked five goals in a win over Tasmania.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er who played with Geelong
Geelong Football Club
The Geelong Football Club, nicknamed The Cats, is a professional Australian rules football club, named after and based in the city of Geelong, playing in the Australian Football League . The club has been the VFL/AFL premiers nine times, with a record equalling 3 in the AFL era. Geelong has also...
in the VFL
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
.
Ryan, who was recruited from Swan Hill, could play as a ruckman
Ruckman (Australian rules football position)
In Australian rules football, a ruckman is typically a tall and athletic player who contests at centre bounces and stoppages . The ruckman is one of the most important players on the field...
, centre half back and key position forward. He participated in the 1967 Grand Final
1967 VFL Grand Final
The 1967 VFL Grand Final was an Australian rules football game contested between the Geelong Football Club and Richmond Football Club, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne on 23 September 1967. It was the 71st annual Grand Final of the Victorian Football League, staged to determine...
but his side lost and he would never play in another. A strong mark of the ball, he finished equal fifth in the 1971 Brownlow Medal count. The same year he kicked a career best 67 goals, with eight of them coming against Footscray at Kardinia Park.
He is often remembered for a match winning goal he kicked after the siren
After the siren kicks in Australian rules football
In Australian rules football, if a player takes a mark or is awarded a free kick before or as the siren sounds, the player is allowed to take the kick...
against Collingwood at his home ground in the 1967 season. With Geelong down by five points he took a mark 15 metres out but as Ryan was noted for his wayward kicking at goal it was no certainty. His shot was smothered Collingwood's Terry Waters
Terry Waters
Terry Waters is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Collingwood in the VFL.Waters was a versatile player who was originally used as a forward before moving into defense later on in his career...
but he got another opportunity when the umpire decided that Waters had run over the mark.
Ryan finished his football career in Queensland, playing for both Coorparoo
Coorparoo Australian Football Club
Coorparoo Football Club were an Australian rules football club based in the Brisbane suburb of Coorparoo. Their club colours were navy blue and white and they were nicknamed the Roos.-History:...
and Southport during the 1970s. Most successful at Southport, he appeared in a total of five premiership sides. In both 1974 and 1975 he captained the Queensland interstate team and once kicked five goals in a win over Tasmania.