Stats
Playing Career
1947-1957 – Fitzroy
Games
162
Goals
4
Playing Honours
Fitzroy Best & Fairest – 1950, 1954
Fitzroy Captain – 1955-57
Fitzroy Team of the Century
Lions Life Member
Fitzroy Greatest Team (1944-93)
Victorian State Representative (14 times)
Coaching Career
1955-1957, 1965-1970, 1979-1980 – Fitzroy
Games Coached
214
Summary
The Brisbane Lions Hall of Fame recognises the greatest players, coaches and administrators across the Brisbane Lions' combined history.
It just so happens that Bill Stephen made a significant contribution to the Club in each of those three areas.
Stephen was first recruited to Fitzroy in 1947, and went on to become largely recognised as one of the best small defenders in the VFL competition.
As a player, he had it all. He was quick, fearless, strong overhead, and his ability to read the play was flawless.
Across his 162-game playing career, Stephen won two Fitzroy Best & Fairest awards – in 1950 and 1954 – and developed an intimate knowledge of the game under the tutelage of the great Norm Smith.
He was appointed Captain-Coach during his final two seasons as a player, and went on to have a further two stints as non-playing coach of the Club where he became widely respected for his ability to develop younger players.
Stephen coached a total of 214 matches across four decades – making him the longest-serving coach in Fitzroy's 100 years.
He later served on Fitzroy's match committee and received the AFL's Jack Titus Award in 1996 for his outstanding service to the game.
