Ricky Graham
Encyclopedia
Ricky Graham is a former Australian rules football
er who played for Geelong
in the VFL
during the late 1960s.
He also captain-coached TFL
club New Norfolk. Ricky comes from a famous footballing family with his father Jack
and nephew Ben each playing over 200 games in the VFL/AFL.
Mostly a centreman and flanker during his career, Graham played originally with Geelong Districts. He made his debut for Geelong's VFL side in 1965 and appeared in the seniors sporadically over the course of his five year career. He spent a lot of his time in the reserves and won a Gardiner Medal
in 1967. His efforts in the reserves that year earned him selection as 20th man in the Grand Final against Richmond but he finished on the losing side. Graham did however kick one of his four VFL goals in the game, from outside 50, with such long kicking being a feature of his game.
Graham was appointed captain-coach of New Norfolk in 1970 and won the William Leitch Medal
two years later. He had the distinction of captaining Tasmania at the 1972 Perth Carnival
. From 1973 to 1976 he coached Ulverstone and steered them to the 1976 Tasmanian State Premiership
. He finished his coaching career in Queensland with Windsor/Zillemere.
In his retirement from football Graham had a brief stint as a Brisbane Bears board member and became a prominent property developer on the Gold Coast that included the Holiday Inn Hotel and Galleria Shopping centre that was onsold to Matsushita Investments(National Panasonic)for $A128 million dollars. Following this he then developed and owned Iririki Island Resort in Vanuatu.
He is now semi-retired on the Gold Coast.
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 Geelong
Geelong Football Club
The Geelong Football Club, nicknamed The Cats, is a professional Australian rules football club, named after and based in the city of Geelong, playing in the Australian Football League . The club has been the VFL/AFL premiers nine times, with a record equalling 3 in the AFL era. Geelong has also...
in the VFL
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
during the late 1960s.
He also captain-coached TFL
Tasmanian Football League
Tasmanian State League is the highest ranked Australian rules football league in Tasmania, Australia.The league has a long and convoluted history which dates back to its founding on 12 June 1879 Tasmanian State League (TSL) (formerly known as the Tasmanian Football League (TFL), Tasmanian...
club New Norfolk. Ricky comes from a famous footballing family with his father Jack
Jack Graham (footballer)
Jack Graham is a former Australian rules footballer who played for South Melbourne in the VFL during the 1930s and 40s.Graham was utility player but played mostly as a ruckman. Over the course of his career he was one of the few players who used the place kick and he played in losing grand finals...
and nephew Ben each playing over 200 games in the VFL/AFL.
Mostly a centreman and flanker during his career, Graham played originally with Geelong Districts. He made his debut for Geelong's VFL side in 1965 and appeared in the seniors sporadically over the course of his five year career. He spent a lot of his time in the reserves and won a Gardiner Medal
Gardiner Medal
The Gardiner Medal was an Australian rules football award, formerly awarded to the best and fairest player in the VFL Reserves competition.Officially named the Seconds prior to 1959 and the Reserves from 1959 onwards, the competition ran from 1919 until 1999 and the medal was first awarded in...
in 1967. His efforts in the reserves that year earned him selection as 20th man in the Grand Final against Richmond but he finished on the losing side. Graham did however kick one of his four VFL goals in the game, from outside 50, with such long kicking being a feature of his game.
Graham was appointed captain-coach of New Norfolk in 1970 and 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....
two years later. He had the distinction of captaining Tasmania at the 1972 Perth Carnival
1972 Perth Carnival
The 1972 Perth Carnival was the 18th edition of the Australian National Football Carnival, an Australian rules football interstate competition....
. From 1973 to 1976 he coached Ulverstone and steered them to the 1976 Tasmanian State Premiership
Tasmanian State Premiership
The Tasmanian State Premiership was an Australian rules football tournament which was competed originally between the reigning TFL/TANFL and NTFA premiers, with the NWFU joining in from 1954....
. He finished his coaching career in Queensland with Windsor/Zillemere.
In his retirement from football Graham had a brief stint as a Brisbane Bears board member and became a prominent property developer on the Gold Coast that included the Holiday Inn Hotel and Galleria Shopping centre that was onsold to Matsushita Investments(National Panasonic)for $A128 million dollars. Following this he then developed and owned Iririki Island Resort in Vanuatu.
He is now semi-retired on the Gold Coast.