The Port Adelaide Football Club mourns the passing of club legend Geof Motley.
Motley, the club’s most decorated premiership player, passed away this afternoon at the age of 88 after a short battle with illness.
Port Adelaide chairman David Koch said it was an incredibly sad day for the club and its supporters.
“Geof was one of our all-time greats, our most decorated premiership player winning nine league premierships with Port Adelaide,” Mr Koch said.
“Born and raised in the Port Adelaide district, all Geof knew was the Port Adelaide Football Club. It was his world, his life. All he wanted to do was represent Port Adelaide.
“And he did that with great distinction. Alongside his premiership success sits four best-and-fairest awards, a Magarey Medal and 28 State games.
“There have been so many champions of our club across more than 150 years, and a handful of Legends. Geof Motley stands alongside Port Adelaide greats Russell Ebert, Bob Quinn and John Cahill as a legend of our club.
“My thoughts, and all of those at the Port Adelaide Football Club, are with Wanita, Peter, Brett and the entire Motley family.
“Tonight we all carry a heavy heart as we’ve lost one of the greats of our club and of South Australian football.”
Port Adelaide CEO Matthew Richardson said it is a sad day for the football world.
“Geof’s contribution to Port Adelaide and to football here in South Australia is enormous,” Mr Richardson said.
“On the field, Geof was strong, imposing and always played the game in the right way.
“He was also balanced, skilful and so versatile as evidenced by his seven-goal second half in the 1957 Grand Final after being moved from defence to a half-forward flank.
“Geof took over from Fos Williams as captain-coach in 1959 and guided Port Adelaide to the premiership, to complete the national record six-in-a-row.
“Geof won a remarkable nine premierships all at the Adelaide Oval, the most of anyone in South Australian Football. Geof’s legacy remains as our playing race at Adelaide Oval is named in his honour.
“We pass on our heartfelt condolences to Geof’s children Wanita, Peter and Brett and extended family. We celebrate one of the greatest to represent Port Adelaide.”
Motley, born a drop punt from Alberton Oval, made his League debut with the club in 1953 after being promoted directly from the senior colts.
Motley holds the distinction of never being dropped after his League debut.
By the end of his playing career in 1966 Motley amassed 250 games, kicking 156 goals.
Motley holds the rare honour of being the only player to take part in all nine of the club's premierships during its golden era between 1954 and 1965.
Motley's contribution to football as a player and coach has seen him awarded life membership of both Port Adelaide and the SANFL.
He was named on a half-back flank in Port's 'Greatest Team of All Time' and is a member of the Australian Football Hall of Fame, the South Australian Football Hall of Fame and the Port Adelaide Football Club Hall of Fame.
Above all, representing the people of Port Adelaide provided the greatest joy for Motley.
After his retirement Motley said: “We played on the basis that we could not possibly let down the followers of the Port Adelaide Football Club - the greatest gift we could give them was a premiership.”
Legendary Port Adelaide player and administrator Bob McLean once described Motley as one of the fairest players he had seen.
“You name it and Geof Motley did it in a long and distinguished career with Port Adelaide,” McLean said.
“He had wonderful balance and was one of those players rarely seen on the ground. He was also an umpires’ delight, if there was such a footballer. Never was he reported, nor did he dispute the umpire’s decision, he simply got on with the game playing it hard but fairly.”
The great Fos Williams who played with and coached Motley described him as “the most reliable footballer”.
“He is the first player I think of when asked to name the player who provided confidence and loyalty at Port Adelaide,” Williams once said.
“He was a most reliable footballer whether at half-forward or half-back.”
Geof Motley
250 games 1953 to 1966
156 goals
28 State games, six State goals
Nine premierships as a player (1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1962, 1963, 1965)
Four best-and-fairest awards (1958, 1959, 1963, 1965)
1964 Magarey Medallist
Captain 1959-66
Coach 1959-61
Australian Football Hall of Fame
South Australian Football Hall of Fame
Port Adelaide’s greatest team
