Geof_Motley

Geof Motley

Geof Motley

Australian rules footballer and coach (1935–2023)

Geofrey Peter Motley OAM[2] (3 January 1935 – 26 September 2023) was an Australian rules footballer and coach who played for South Australian National Football League (SANFL) side Port Adelaide. Motley was born near Alberton Oval, the home ground of the Port Adelaide Football Club, and grew up supporting Port Adelaide.[3]

Quick Facts Geof Motley OAM, Personal information ...

Motley was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the 1992 Australia Day Honours "for service to sport administration and Australian rules football."[2]

Football career

Port Adelaide (1954–1966)

For eight seasons from 1959 to 1966, Motley captained the then dominating team of the SANFL, Port Adelaide, including a stint as captain-coach from 1959 to 1961. He was the only man to appear in all nine of the Magpies' premiership teams between 1954 and 1965. Motley played a total of 258 games for Port between 1953 and 1966 and also represented South Australia on 28 occasions.[4]

During his career, Motley was never dropped from the team, nor was he reported. In this era, not being reported for foul play was a rarity for a player as having a certain amount of mongrel or thuggery was seen as commonplace.[3]

Motley was named Port Adelaide's best and fairest player in 1958, 1959, 1963, and 1965; and won the Magarey Medal in 1964.[5]

North Adelaide coach (1967–1969)

Following his playing retirement, Motley went on to coach North Adelaide from 1967 to 1969, taking the club to third, third, and fifth place respectively. The Roosters won the minor premiership in 1967 but were unable to compete successfully against Sturt and Port Adelaide in the major round. Under Motley's tutelage, Australian Football Hall of Fame Legend Barrie Robran debuted and won his first Magarey Medal.

Honours

After retiring, Motley was bestowed with several honours including life membership of Port Adelaide and the SANFL, and membership of the South Australian Football Hall of Fame and the Australian Football Hall of Fame. In 2001, Motley was named on a half-back flank in Port Adelaide's 'Greatest Team of All Time'.[3]

Personal life

Motley was married to fellow sportsperson Gaynor Motley (née Flanagan), who represented Australia in basketball (competing in the first world championships in Rio de Janeiro) and netball, as well as South Australia in softball.[6] The pair were married until Gaynor's death in 1999.[7]

Their son, Peter, played for rival SANFL club Sturt and Victorian Football League (VFL) club Carlton, while Motley's second cousin was Port Adelaide captain Warren Tredrea.

Death

Motley died on 26 September 2023, at the age of 88.[8]

References

  1. [1]
    "Port Adelaide Football Club legend Geof Motley dies, aged 88". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 27 September 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  2. [2]
    "Mr Geofrey Peter Motley". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Retrieved 27 September 2023 – via Australian Government.
  3. [3]
    Phelan, J, "Mots Joins The Greats" afl.com.au, 8 May 2008, accessed 7 June 2008
  4. [4]
    "Full Points Footy Biography" Archived 10 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine fullpointsfooty.net.au
  5. [5]
    "Profile: Geof Motley" Archived 6 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine afl.com.au, 8 May 2008, accessed 7 June 2008
  6. [6]
    Rucci, Michelangelo (15 October 2009). "Geof Motley officially 'great'". news.com.au (Nationwide News Pty Limited). Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  7. [7]
    "Gaynor Anita Motley". Centennial Park. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  8. [8]
    Port Adelaide legend Geof Motley dies (subscription required)
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