Jon ‘Wogga’ Mills

While he may not have been seen as one of the game’s most naturally skilled player, Jon Mills can certainly lay claim to being one of the most determined players in country football. A determination that saw him play 378 games against the odds for the Cowell Football Club where he is known by all as ‘Wogga’.

As a young lad, Wogga worked hard on his fitness and preparation for each game. He took every opportunity to make improvements in his game. ‘Wogga’ was an exceptional athlete as a young fellow and while a student at Cowell Area School he smashed the record for the 1500 metres. This record was testament to his strong work ethic as a young footballer who went all out to increase his physical and mental endurance. ‘Wogga’ won the 1500 metre event in his final year at school and his record time still remains untouched to the present day.

‘Wogga’ began his junior career with Cowell in 1972 and progressed through the ranks of mini colts, under 14s and under 16s. He was runner up for the best and fairest award with the under 14s beginning a trend of ‘close but not close enough’ which would dog him throughout his career. ‘Wogga’ was runner up in the colts best and fairest in 1975 and again in 1976 managing to play a few B grade games that year. It was the only time during his career that he was able to play alongside one of his much older brothers.

From the first game of the 1977 season ‘Wogga’ cemented his place in the A grade and had an encouraging first year in senior football. Tragedy struck in February the next year when ‘Wogga’ was badly burnt in an accident at home. He spent more than three months in hospital enduring excruciating pain with burns to 87% of his body. Worse was to follow with a long period of convalescing which saw him miss the next three years of football.

After his long absence from football, ‘Wogga’ made his return in 1981. Wearing protection for his extensive scarring he made an encouraging comeback in his first game until breaking his leg in the final quarter. From that moment the phrase ‘It could only happen to Wogga’ was coined. There are many instances of ‘It could only happen to Wogga’ and everyone has their best loved example. My favourite relates to the game where he came off at half time and berated one of the trainers for not strapping his ankles properly. As ‘Wogga’ took his boots off he realised he had them on the wrong feet.

In 1986, ‘Wogga’ tied with Steve Beinke for the Cowell A grade best & fairest but lost the award on a count back. He captained Cowell in 1987 and 1990, leading by example he was a part of the memorable 1996 Cowell premiership. ‘Wogga’ retired after celebrating his first premiership and from 1997 played exclusively with the B grade which he had coached in 1996 and would continue coaching until the end of the 2001 season.

Wogga was forced into a reluctant retirement early in the 2005 season when a debilitating back injury showed signs of worsening if he continued playing. At the time ‘Wogga’ was club president and now concentrated his efforts off field working just as hard for the club as he had done when he was playing. ‘Wogga’ was president of the Cowell Football Club from 2003 to 2007 and filled in once again in 2010. He has been a vice president with the Eastern Eyre Football League and has been a long serving Cowell delegate with the EEFL.

‘Wogga’ is currently the Head Trainer for the Cowell Football Club and has been in this role for over ten years which sees him not only treating players in all four football grades but also taking care of the Cowell netballers with more serious injuries. In 2014 ‘Wogga’ was rewarded for his work and dedication with the club by being judged the inaugural winner of the Pringles Crouch Extraordinary Person Award.