Roger Williams

Roger Williams is arguably the greatest footballer to ever play on Kangaroo Island. He stands with the best country footballers in South Australia as a seven time Mail Medal winner, one of only four players in the state to achieve this feat.

Roger made his senior debut on Kangaroo Island as a twelve year old with Nepean Bay in 1960. He played with them for two seasons and then moved to the mainland to continue his schooling at Rostrevor College. Roger played a handful of reserves games with West Torrens in 1964 and played his first league game for them in 1965. He would go on to play 50 league and reserves games over the next three seasons. Mid season in 1967, Roger transferred to Glenelg where he played four more league games.

For the entirety of his SANFL career Roger lived and worked on Kangaroo Island, commuting to Adelaide each week to play. With the constant traveling and being unable to train with the league clubs, Roger contemplated retiring from league football. When he broke his ankle it was the final straw which ensured his next game would be back on the island. He was disappointed he wasn’t able to give it his best shot because of his commitments on Kangaroo Island.

When Roger resumed playing on Kangaroo Island in 1968, it was with Kingscote where he quickly built a reputation as a tough, durable and skilful centreman. Roger was a strong overhead mark, possessed elite kicking skills and was a natural leader. Apart from the seven medals, Roger was runner up twice and third once. He also won six Kingscote best and fairest awards.

Roger turned his hand to coaching in 1969 and again in 1972 and 1973 obviously leading by example as he won Mail Medals in each of the years that he coached. He transferred as coach to Dudley United in 1978 and set the standard for his new team by winning the medal that year.

Roger credited his brother John and his colts coach Charlie Inglis as his greatest influences in football and for pushing him to reach the standards that he attained throughout his career.