Andrew Willis (rugby league) explained

Andrew Willis
Birth Date:23 June 1973
Birth Place:Australia
Club1:Western Suburbs
Year1start:1993
Year1end:97
Appearances1:60
Tries1:11
Goals1:20
Fieldgoals1:1
Points1:85
Updated:31 May 2019
Source:[1]

Andrew Willis (born 23 June 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

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, 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." 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]

Sources

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Andrew Willis - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project. www.rugbyleagueproject.org. 2019-05-31.
  2. Web site: Bidgee Region. 19 July 2010. LeagueNet.
  3. Web site: Matches played for the Western Suburbs Magpies. 19 July 2010. Rugby League Project.
  4. News: Sydney Morning Herald. Benji Marshall magic shines on spite night. Stuart Honeysett. 19 July 2010. 10 July 2010.
  5. look who we bumped into. Footy Confidential. 16 July 2010. 47. News Limited. Sydney, NSW .
  6. News: Paul Suttor. Illawarra Mercury. Picton pushed aside as Rams raid G6 crown. 5 September 2013. 8 February 2014.
  7. News: Ben Drzyzga. Newcastle Herald. O'Doherty racks up another milestone. 8 February 2014. 21 April 2000.
  8. News: Tim Keeble. Illawarra Mercury. Limited preparation no discomfort for Willis. 8 February 2014. 9 May 2009.
  9. Web site: MAGPIES OUT OF HAROLD MATTHEWS & SG BALL FINALS . 19 July 2010 . rleague.com . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20060505051342/http://www.rleague.com/db/article.php?id=25086 . 5 May 2006 .