Garry Wilson

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For other persons named Garry Wilson, see Garry Wilson (disambiguation).
Garry "Flea" Wilson
Personal information
Birth July 17, 1953 (1953-07-17) (age 54),
Recruited from Preston Swimmers
Height and weight 178 cm / 70 kg
Playing career¹
Debut 1971, Fitzroy vs. , at
Team(s) Fitzroy (1971-84)
  • 268 games, 452 goals
¹ Statistics to end of 1984 season
Career highlights

  • VFL interstate representative (12 games)
  • 3 time Fitzroy Best and Fairest (72,76,78,79,80)


Garry J. "Flea" Wilson (born July 17, 1953) is a former Australian rules footballer in the Victorian Football League.

[edit] Background

Wilson, during his playing days, was described by The Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers as having "limitless courage" as a wispy rover, with a playing weight of only 64 kg. He played wearing a headguard after several cases of concussion. Many considered him one of the most technically gifted players ever to play the game, and he was renowned for his hard training ethic.[1]

Debuting in 1971 with the Fitzroy Football Club, Wilson came from Preston Swimmers and forged a successful career, winning best and fairest awards with the Lions in 1972, 1976, 1978, 1979 and 1980. He finished third in the Brownlow Medal count of 1978. Always amongst the Brownlow votes, his best season was 1979, when he finished just one vote behind the eventual winner.[2] Wilson became captain in 1982. He finished with 268 games to his name after retiring in 1984.

Some of Garry Wilson's finest performances came in the interstate arena. He represented either the VFL or Victoria 12 times, being awarded consecutive All Australian blazers in 1979 and 1980.[1]

Wilson was named as the Vice Captain in Fitzroy's Team of the Century, on the half-forward line.[3]

In 1999 Wilson was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame.[4]

[edit] Career highlights

Playing career:

  • Fitzroy 1971-1984 (Games 268; Goals 452; Brownlow votes 161)[5]

Player honors:

  • 2nd Brownlow Medal 1979, 3rd Brownlow Medal 1978.
  • Fitzroy Best & Fairest 1972, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1980.[6]
  • Fitzroy leading goalkicker 1972, 1973.[6]
  • Fitzroy captain 1981 to 1984.[6]
  • All-Australian Team 1979, 1980
  • Fitzroy Team of the Century.[3]
  • Victorian representative (12 games, 22 goals)
  • Awarded 50 pride points

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Full Points Footy (2008). Garry Wilson (Fitzroy). Retrieved on 5 May 2008.
  2. ^ AFL Stats (2008). 1979 Brownlow Medal. Retrieved on 5 May 2008.
  3. ^ a b Footy Stamps (2006). Fitzroy Team of the Century. Retrieved on 5 May 2008.
  4. ^ Ross, John (1999). The Australian Football Hall of Fame. Australia: HarperCollinsPublishers, p. 143. ISBN 0-7322-6426-X. 
  5. ^ AFL Stats (2008). AFL PLayers: Garry Wilson. Retrieved on 5 May 2008.
  6. ^ a b c Brisbane Lions (2008). Fitzroy Football Club Honour Board 1897 - 1996. Retrieved on 5 May 2008.


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