Bill Adams (Australian footballer)

Infobox afl player | firstname = Bill
lastname = Adams




birthdate = 11 December 1900
birthplace =
originalteam = South Fremantle
heightweight = 180 cm / 86 kg
dead = alive
deathdate =
deathplace =
debutdate = 1924
debutteam = Fitzroy
debutopponent =
debutstadium =
playingteams = Fitzroy (1924-26)
* 51 games, 17 goals
Melbourne (1931-32)
* 16 games, 12 goalsTotal - 67 Games, 29 Goals
coach = coach
coachingteams = South Melbourne (1945-48)
* 70 Games, 39 Wins, 1 Draw
statsend = 1948
careerhighlights =

William 'Bill' Adams (born 11 December 1900) was an Australian rules footballer who played for Fitzroy and Melbourne in the VFL before becoming coach of South Melbourne. He also went by his nickname of 'Bull' during his career.

Adams was originally from South Fremantle where he played 32 games from his debut in 1921. In his first season he was included in the Western Australian squad for the Perth Carnival but didn't manage a game. Adams joined VFL club Fitzroy in 1924 and played in the side which contested the finals that season. He was club captain for their 1926 campaign and as well as finishing equal fifth in the Brownlow Medal count he represented Victoria at interstate football that year. A tough and physical player, Adams spent most of his time in defence but was also used on the ball.

In 1927 he left Fitzroy, joining Northcote in the VFA and also playing with Preston over the course of four seasons. He had his best year in 1929 while with Preston when he won both their Best and Fairest award and kicked 69 goals to top their goal kicking.

After spending the first half of the 1931 football season as playing coach of Prahran, Adams returned to the VFL and signed up with Melbourne where he would play until his retirement at the end of the 1932 season.

His coaching career peaked in 1945 when he was appointed coach of South Melbourne and steered them to the 1945 VFL Grand Final. South Melbourne lost the game and despite remaining with them for another three years he wasn't able to qualify the club for another finals series and after finishing tenth in 1948 was replaced by Jack Hale.

References

*AflRleague|ref=B/Bill_Adams.html
* [http://www.fullpointsfooty.net/a.htm#William%20Adams%20(South%20Fremantle,%20Fitzroy,%20Northcote,%20Preston,%20South%20Melbourne) Full Points Footy profile]
* [http://afl.allthestats.com/coaches/coach.php?idno=142 Coaching record at All The Stats]