Doggies’ captain adds university degree to stellar year

Easton Wood is now a university graduate, capping off a fairy tale year captaining the Western Bulldogs to an AFL Grand Final victory that was 62 years in the making.

He received his Bachelor of Sport Science degree from Victoria University on Thursday 15 December along with hundreds of other VU graduates at the picturesque Flemington Racecourse Grandstand.

A champion on and off the field, the 27-year-old has been working hard in the lecture room over the past few years, on top of the enormous demands he has had as a professional athlete.

Earlier this year, VU awarded Easton its Academic and Sporting Excellence Award at its annual Sport Awards for his exemplary student record that includes 10 High Distinctions and six distinctions.

In 2015, Easton also picked up the Victoria University Education Award at the Bulldogs presentation night for performing at a consistently high level in football while excelling in his studies. It was the same year he took out the Bulldog’s prestigious Charles Sutton Medal as its best and fairest player.

Originally from a country property near Camperdown in Victoria’s Western District, Wood has been steadily impressive as a footballer since joining the Western Bulldogs in 2007.

His improving skills and confidence culminated in him leading the Bulldogs to its momentous win earlier this year, in the absence of much loved injured Captain Bob Murphy, and captaining the first team ever to take out the premiership flag from seventh place on the ladder.

As a proud Bulldogs partner, Victoria University congratulates Easton Wood on his academic and athletic achievements.

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge was awarded VU’s Companion of the University to recognise his collaboration with Victoria University through the joint Western Bulldogs Victoria University Sport Science program, and for exemplifying the very best of sport through his leadership, deeds and words.

Fittingly, Emeritus Professor Clyde Williams, the acknowledged father of the discipline of sport science worldwide, received an Honorary Doctorate from VU at the same ceremony.