Woolnough made his debut in 2002 for his junior club Newcastle Knights. This game was against New Zealand Warriors on 17 May coincidentally his mother's birth date. After six seasons (including one as captain) and 117 games, Woolnough made the decision to leave and head to the Penrith Panthers on a 3-year deal.
After two injury and form ravaged seasons, the 2009 NRL season was supposed to be his last. Woolnough announced his retirement on 19 August 2009, effective of his final 2009 NRL game, which was against his old club Newcastle Knights in Round 26, 2009. However, after a year out travelling with his partner, Woolnough returned to the NRL in 2011. This was made possible by a chance meeting with former teammate, Clint Newton in the UK. Newton was playing for Hull Kingston Rovers, when the conversation turned to the Melbourne Storm. From this conversation, Woolnough spoke with Melbourne head coach Craig Bellamy, about the possibility of joining Melbourne for the 2011 NRL season. Woolnough later signed in July 2010 at a Paris hotel, but was encouraged to complete his trip before reporting to training in October 2010.[1][2]
^Gould, Russell (23 August 2010). "Adam Woolnough signs with Melbourne Storm". heraldsun.com.au. News Corporation Australia. Archived from the original on 14 June 2011. Retrieved 23 August 2010. Citing a need to "do other things" Woolnough, then 27, set off with his wife Bec, backpacking through South America, South Africa and Britain. It was in England that Woolnough ran into Newton, and when talk turned to football - and Storm's need for front-rowers - the wheels were set in motion for the veteran to join Melbourne. "Clint Newton talked him into it. He was the driving force," Storm football manager Frank Ponissi said. "Adam then rang (Storm coach Craig Bellamy) and asked him if he would be interested and he said, 'Absolutely'. Now he's ended up on our doorstep. "He still had a year to go on his contract at Penrith, but he needed a year off and rediscovered his hunger. "Newto gave (Storm) a massive wrap and I've never heard a bloke so enthusiastic to get here. Adam wrote me an email, which was impressive. "He's seen what has happened here to other players. He's come with no guarantees, but the right attitude. "I think he has looked after himself conditioning wise, but he needs a big pre-season. He's going to be behind the eight-ball. "But if his attitude is anything to go by, he'll be good for us."