Easton Wood

Easton Phillip Wood (born 4 September 1989) is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the Western Bulldogs in the Australian Football League (AFL).

He grew up in Camperdown, Victoria while attending Geelong Grammar School.

Wood came from Camperdown, Victoria, and played for the Camperdown Football Club in the Hampden Football Netball League junior divisions, winning the Under 16s best and fairest in 2005.

Wood attended Geelong Grammar School on a dual academic and sports scholarship, after being recognised for his talents in cricket.

Wood came to the attention of Bulldogs recruitment manager Scott Clayton after his performances in school football as a medium-sized running midfielder with a strong leap.

He was drafted with the 43rd selection in the 2007 AFL draft.

Wood nominated for the 2007 AFL National Draft, and was selected by the Bulldogs with their fourth selection (#43 overall).

Easton's older brother McLeod is an officer in the Australian Army.

Easton also has a younger brother, Angus, and three younger sisters, Rhiannon, Juliet and Olivia.

Wood has one daughter, Matilda, and one son, Frederick.

After being drafted by the Bulldogs in 2007, Wood required a shoulder reconstruction, and soon after a screening for lymphatic cancer, meaning he spent the 2008 season on the sidelines.

During this time, Wood wore the number '29' guernsey.

He made his AFL debut in the 2009 AFL season, playing 2 games.

Since then, Wood has been an AFL Premiership player and a AFL premiership captain, an All-Australian, a two-time Australian International Rules Series representative, and a Charles Sutton Medallist.

Wood made his debut in the Western Bulldogs 5-point loss to the West Coast Eagles in the 19th round of the 2009 AFL season at the Etihad Stadium.

He had 14 disposals, kicked 2 behinds, laid 3 tackles and took 2 marks.

He went on to play the next week against, collecting 6 disposals and a mark, but was not selected for finals matches.

Wood consolidated his position in the team in 2010, being selected for 11 games.

Wood played in the ' pre-season premiership win over future grand finalists, by a solid 40 points.

After being named as an emergency on 7 occasions he broke into the team in round 12, collecting 16 disposals, 4 marks, and 5 tackles, proving his worth in the side.

After playing 9 consecutive games, Wood suffered a hamstring injury and did not return to the side until the Bulldogs 5-point semi final victory over.

He played in the 24-point loss in the preliminary final against, where he had 13 disposals, 3 marks and 2 tackles.

At the seasons end, Wood was awarded the 'Most Promising Player' award.

Wood played 15 games in a breakout 2011 season.

In Round 1 of the 2011 AFL season, Wood suffered a serious ankle injury.

He went under surgery the same night as the injury due to the seriousness of the injury.

He missed the next 7 rounds, but he made his return to the team in Round 9 and then missed only two more games for the season.

Wood had a career best game in the ' 27-point win over, picking up 17 disposals, 7 marks and 6 tackles.

Wood represented Australia in the 2011 International Rules Series played against Ireland.

Training for the event occurred at Whitten Oval, which was the current training ground for the Bulldogs.

Wood re-signed with the at the seasons end.

Wood had another injury-plagued season in 2012, playing 14 games.

2012 was Wood's first season playing with the number 10 guernsey.

In Round 6 Wood injured his hamstring and was benched for three weeks, after having a great game that round where he collected 19 possessions at 79% disposal efficiency, while also collecting five marks and one goal.

Wood broke his career high disposal record in round 12 and round 23, collecting 20 disposals in each match.

Wood struggled in 2013, playing just five games.

Wood only played in three victories for the for the entire season after his injury combined with a bad season for the Bulldogs, where they finished 15th on the ladder.

He served as the team's captain for the majority of the 2016 season, as well as between the 2018-2019 seasons, and served as the team's vice captain in 2017.

Wood was born at "Gnotuk", a property near Camperdown in the Western District of Victoria.

His parents, Phil Wood and Fiona (née McLeod) were both athletes.