WILSON, Andy

Andy Wilson was a fine rover who had all the skill, courage and determination of the best rovers in the League. He also had great pace and kicked well with either foot.

He came from Warracknabeal to play pennant tennis but was recruited by Essendon to play football instead. He won the Reserves Best and Fairest award in 1971 and by 1973 he was the most improved player in League football. He also won Essendon's Best and Fairest award in that year, was the Club's second highest goalkicker, and was also selected in the Victorian B team. He was the Club's second top goalkicker the following season as well.

Wilson won the Most Consistent Player award in 1973 but found consistency harder to maintain thereafter and his form became patchy. He missed the early part of 1975 when he was involved in a pay dispute with the Club.

He left the game in 1977 and later moved to the United States of America as a tennis coach and importer of sporting goods. He returned to Australia in 1992 and worked in the sporting goods industry. He joined the Rebound Ace Sports Surfacing Company in 2001.