Andrew Willis (rugby league)

Last updated

Andrew Willis
Personal information
Born (1973-06-23) 23 June 1973 (age 48)
Australia
Playing information
Position Centre, Five-eighth, Halfback
Club
YearsTeamPldTGFGP
1993–97 Western Suburbs 601120185
As of 31 May 2019
Source: [1]

Andrew Willis (born June 23, 1973) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played for the Western Suburbs Magpies in the 1990s. He played in a number of backline positions

Contents

Club career

A Cootamundra junior, [2] Willis made his debut for Wests in 1993, originally playing either second-row or starting from the bench. [3] 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 the North Sydney Bears in 1996, [4] one of the longest of the modern era. Willis played every game of the 1996 season, and played in the semifinals, [3] 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." [5] He was only 24 when he returned to playing local football with Camden. [5] He captain-coached them to a premiership in 2000, scoring a try in what was described as a star performance. [6] He represented Country Seconds that year. [7]

Later, Willis coached for Greater Southern [8] & the Western Suburbs Magpies SG Ball side. [9]

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References

  1. ↑ "Andrew Willis - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project". www.rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  2. ↑ "Bidgee Region". LeagueNet. Retrieved 19 July 2010.
  3. 1 2 "Matches played for the Western Suburbs Magpies". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 19 July 2010.
  4. ↑ Stuart Honeysett (10 July 2010). "Benji Marshall magic shines on spite night". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 19 July 2010.
  5. 1 2 "look who we bumped into". Footy Confidential. Sydney, NSW: News Limited (16 July 2010): 47.
  6. ↑ Paul Suttor (8 February 2014). "Picton pushed aside as Rams raid G6 crown". Illawarra Mercury. Retrieved 5 September 2013.
  7. ↑ Ben Drzyzga (21 April 2000). "O'Doherty racks up another milestone". Newcastle Herald. Retrieved 8 February 2014.
  8. ↑ Tim Keeble (9 May 2009). "Limited preparation no discomfort for Willis". Illawarra Mercury. Retrieved 8 February 2014.
  9. ↑ "MAGPIES OUT OF HAROLD MATTHEWS & SG BALL FINALS". rleague.com. Archived from the original on 5 May 2006. Retrieved 19 July 2010.

Sources

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