Billy Wilson

Known as 'Captain Blood' because of the many times he spilt the precious fluid for his club, the St George junior was graded as a centre/lock in 1948. Wilson took on a captain-coach position with Picton in 1950-51 and representing Southern Division against Great Britain in 1950. Returning to the Dragons, he was sent off in the club's loss in the 1953 final and played the 1954 semi-final against Norths with a broken arm and gashed eye. Wilson went on to win six premierships with the club (1956 & 1958-62). In the first of these Wilson moved to the centres when Max Lees left the field injured but his development as a tough, relentless forward saw him gravitate to the front row later in his career. Wilson captain-coached Wagga in 1957 but returned to St George for another grand final victory the following year. Rep honours came with maturity; playing for Australia in three Tests against NZ in 1959 before touring with the 1959-60 Kangaroos and appearing in five Tests. Wilson captained St George in 1962 following the retirement of Ken Kearney but was sent off in the grand final win against Wests after flattening rival forward Jim Cody. Contemplating retirement, Wilson was signed by Norths (on a modest £900 transfer fee) where his experience was invaluable. In 1963 he received the belated honour of captaining Australia in two Tests against the visiting Kiwis but he played the Second Test under a fitness cloud and was dropped from the remainder of the series. After breaking his leg in 1964 Wilson led Norths into the 1965 preliminary final before retiring in 1966. A non-playing coach in 1967, he was forced to play three matches after injuries ravaged his side – a record twentieth season of first grade football. The League fraternity was saddened by Wilson’s passing after suffering a stroke in March 1993.