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Single Gamer

Bill Dodds

Career : 1901
Debut and Only Game : Round 16, 1901 vs Essendon, aged 19 years, 117 days
Carlton Player No. 118
Goals : 0
Height : 165 cm (5 ft. 5 in.)
Weight : 55 kg. (8 stone, 7 lbs)
DOB : 23 April, 1882


At just 165 cm and 55 kg, Collingwood born Billy Dodds became one of the smallest men ever to pull on a football boot for Carlton when he played his one and only match for the Navy Blues against Essendon in round 16, 1901.

Having been recruited from the Collingwood-based amateur club Albion United, Dodds was called into Carlton’s seniors with only two games left in the home and away season. He was assigned to a wing - but like most of his team, was swept aside by a powerful side gaining momentum in the run to the finals. Essendon kicked seven goals to one after half-time, and thrashed Carlton by 69 points. Dodds was one of three Blues whose senior career ended with the final bell that afternoon.

Seventeen years later, long since retired from the field and the father of five children, Bill Dodds volunteered for active service in World War 1. He underwent basic training at Broadmeadows, then filed aboard a troopship bound for England on 31 August, 1918 at Port Melbourne. But only days out from his destination, the news came through that an armistice had been signed, and the bloodiest war in history was over.

Bill made the most of his good fortune to spend almost three months amid the joy and relief in post-war England, before eventually returning home in March, 1919.

Sadly, he was aged only 50 when he passed away in September, 1932.

Blueseum: Summary of playing statistics for Bill Dodds | Dodds' Blueseum Image Gallery
Contributors to this page: molsey , Bombasheldon , PatsFitztrick , tmd1 and admin .
Page last modified on Wednesday 13 of June, 2012 15:28:08 AEST by molsey.

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