 Footscray's Harry Hickey, with whom Wood has served in the military, recommenced him to the club and after impressing in the try outs he signed up for the 1944 season.On debut against Collingwood he kicked 9 goals, at the time a league record and still the club record, eventually finishing the year with 51.He missed the 1945 season due to war service but returned in 1946 and topped the club's goalkicking for three successive seasons.