BIO

Will Knill defended grandly as a guest player for Norwood in five matches against leading Victorian clubs in Melbourne in 1880.

Born on 28 January 1859, Will was known for his speed, marking ability and long kicking for the Victorian Football Club in the early years of the SA Football Association.  Also invited to join the touring party was his clubmate Alexander Frayne, who would switch from Victorian to Norwood in 1882.

Feted over two weeks, the tourists began with a 1.5 to 1.6 draw with Carlton (behinds not counting in those days). George Giffen then fired Norwood to victory over Melbourne at the MCG, 2.8 to 0.5, rain unfortunately limiting the crowd to a just a few hundred. In slippery conditions, Geelong punished Norwood 1.24 to nil.  Hotham won the fourth match 1.14 to 0.4 after Norwood lost captain Alf McMichael with a broken collar-bone. ‘Topsy’ Waldron was captain as Norwood ended the tour with a goalless draw with South Melbourne, with Giffen again shining and Knill as usual among the best players.   

Back in Adelaide with the old Vics, Knill and Frayne were chosen in the South Australian team to play Victoria twice at Adelaide Oval in August that year, the visitors winning 3.21 to 0.6 and 5.13 to 2.7.

Will Knill also represented South Australia as a batsman in six intercolonial cricket matches.

A fine tenor, Will was secretary of the Adelaide Orpheus Society for 28 years. He conducted Christian Endeavour choirs for many years and guided 1,200 voices once in 1912.  He arranged Sunday school anniversaries for Methodist and other churches for four decades.

Will served the financial firm of H. L. and A. E. Ayers for 57 years.  He was 81 when he died at North Adelaide on 8 July 1940, survived by his brother George and niece Ruby Waldie.

P Robins April 2024