Graham Hunnibell
Encyclopedia
Graham 'Moose' Hunnibell (born 2 January 1955) is a former Australian rules football
er who played for Melbourne
in the Victorian Football League
(VFL). He also had a noted career in Tasmania, where he played at North Launceston
, New Norfolk
and Clarence
.
Hunnibell, who was a ruckman, first appeared with Melbourne in the 1978 VFL season
. He had been a NTFA
representative back in Tasmania and kicked one of his two career goals on debut, in a win over Geelong at Waverley Park, where Neville Bruns
was also debuting. After two further seasons at Melbourne, spent mostly in the reserves, Hunnibell returned to Tasmania.
Back at his original club, North Launceston, in 1981, Hunnibell won his second club 'Best and Fairest' award that year as well as appearing their premiership team, as he had in 1975. The following season he crossed to New Norfolk and played in another premiership side and he also won the first of three 'Best and Fairest' awards, with the others coming as captain-coach in 1984 and 1985. He had his best season in 1985 when he won the William Leitch Medal
, to go with the Lefroy Medal which he won three years earlier. The ruckman finished his career at Clarence and took home their 'Best and Fairest' award in 1989, meaning that he had been a club champion at three separate clubs.
A 17 time Tasmanian interstate representative, Hunnibell was inducted into the Tasmanian Football Hall of Fame
in 2006.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er who played for Melbourne
Melbourne Football Club
The Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Demons, is an Australian rules football club playing in the Australian Football League , based in Melbourne, Victoria....
in the Victorian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
(VFL). He also had a noted career in Tasmania, where he played at North Launceston
North Launceston Football Club
The North Launceston Football Club is an Australian rules football club based in Launceston, Tasmania. Australia. Since 2009 they have played in the newly formed Tasmanian State League.-History:...
, New Norfolk
New Norfolk Eagles
The New Norfolk District Football Club is an Australian rules football club currently playing in the Southern Football League, in Tasmania, Australia.-Origins:Entry to Southern District Football Assoc* 1934Entry to TANFL/TFL* 1947...
and Clarence
Clarence Football Club
The Clarence Football Club, nicknamed the Kangaroos , is an Australian rules football club playing in the Tasmanian State League, based in Bellerive, Tasmania.Before 1903, they existed as Bellerive Football Club....
.
Hunnibell, who was a ruckman, first appeared with Melbourne in the 1978 VFL season
1978 VFL season
Results and statistics for the Victorian Football League season of 1978.-Grand final:Hawthorn defeated North Melbourne 18.13 to 15.13 , in front of a crowd of 101704 people...
. He had been a NTFA
Northern Tasmanian Football Association (1886 - 1986)
The Northern Tasmanian Football Association was an Australian rules football competition which ran from 1886 to 1986. In its time it was one of the three main leagues in Tasmania, with the Tasmanian Football League and North West Football Union representing the rest of the state...
representative back in Tasmania and kicked one of his two career goals on debut, in a win over Geelong at Waverley Park, where Neville Bruns
Neville Bruns
Neville Bruns is a former Australian rules footballer in the Victorian/Australian Football League for Geelong Football Club. He wore the number 19 during his tenure at the club and played often in the wing and rover positions. From 1978–1992 he played 223 games and kicked 174 goals...
was also debuting. After two further seasons at Melbourne, spent mostly in the reserves, Hunnibell returned to Tasmania.
Back at his original club, North Launceston, in 1981, Hunnibell won his second club 'Best and Fairest' award that year as well as appearing their premiership team, as he had in 1975. The following season he crossed to New Norfolk and played in another premiership side and he also won the first of three 'Best and Fairest' awards, with the others coming as captain-coach in 1984 and 1985. He had his best season in 1985 when he won the William Leitch Medal
William Leitch Medal
The William Leitch Medal was an annual award which was presented to the Best and Fairest player in the TANFL/TFL Statewide League.At various times prior to 1930 and between 1935 and 1939 the TFL award was known by other names....
, to go with the Lefroy Medal which he won three years earlier. The ruckman finished his career at Clarence and took home their 'Best and Fairest' award in 1989, meaning that he had been a club champion at three separate clubs.
A 17 time Tasmanian interstate representative, Hunnibell was inducted into the Tasmanian Football Hall of Fame
Tasmanian Football Hall of Fame
The Tasmanian Football Hall of Fame was established to help recognise outstanding services and overall contribution made to the sport of Australian rules football in Tasmania. Any participant of the sport, including players, umpires, media personalities and coaches, may be inducted...
in 2006.