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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2023-09-28 Daily Xml
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Motley, Mr G.

Ms HUTCHESSON (Waite) (15:28): When I was just a young girl, my friends and I would often be out riding our bikes around the neighbourhood. We were not particularly aware of who lived where and what they did, but there was one house we all knew about and who lived there and that was the Motleys.

Only three streets up from where I grew up, we would often ride past in the hope that we would see the legend Geof Motley or his son Peter out the front and be able to say hello. To us, a local legend, but to the game of football, a hero, Geof Motley sadly passed away on Tuesday after a short illness. He was aged 88. I would like to take this opportunity to pay my and our community's respects to a true gentleman of the game.

Geof Motley grew up in and played for Port Adelaide, debuting in 1953. He was the club's most decorated premiership player. He played 258 games, kicking 156 goals. He was involved in all nine SANFL premierships the club won between 1954 and 1965 during what can only be classed as a golden run and one our current AFL team can only dream of.

He also claimed four Best and Fairest awards, all in Port Adelaide's premiership years. He was never once reported for on-field behaviour, nor did he waste time arguing with the umpires. In 1964, he won the Magarey Medal. Geof also played 28 state games for South Australia. In 2001, he was honoured by being named as halfback flank in Port Adelaide's Greatest Team of All Time. Geof 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—more than just a local legend.

The great Fos Williams, who coached Motley in eight of the nine premiership victories, once described Motley as the most reliable footballer—

An honourable member: The Motley Crew.

Ms HUTCHESSON: The Motley Crew. Fos Williams said, 'He is the first player I think of when asked to name the player who provided confidence and loyalty at Port Adelaide.' South Australian Football Commission Chairman, Rob Kerin, yesterday paid tribute to the legend.

Geof will be well remembered by the South Australian football community as a fierce competitor, but one who was also incredibly fair and highly respected. There are few SANFL players who have surpassed the incredible successes of Geof Motley, and it is certainly a sad time to lose another great of our game. Jeff Pash paid tribute to Geof in ThePash Papers, saying:

He is fearless and resolute, but the resolution is jolly and good-humoured—no kicking in ruck. The shape of his flying play for the ball and of his recovery is brave and pleasing; he flies with abandon and bounces up smiling from some impossible rolls and spills.

Others certainly have more elegant techniques, and they, too, are admired in their place; but Motley is unique.

As mentioned, Geof Motley shares the SANFL record for the most premiership wins as a player. He shares this with Chris Gowans and James Gowans from Central District. He was Port Adelaide's captain-coach for the last flag, a position he held for three seasons before continuing as captain. He was awarded Port Adelaide life membership in 1962. Geof also coached the North Adelaide team from 1967 to 1969. Geof Motley was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia on 26 January 1992 for his service to sport administration and Australian Rules football.

Closer to home, Geof was married to Gaynor, who was an elite sportswoman herself, playing basketball for Australia, and netball, and represented South Australia in softball until her death in 1999. Their son Peter played for rival SANFL club Sturt and Victorian Football League club Carlton and was also inducted into the SA Hall of Fame. Motley's second cousin was Port Adelaide's captain, Warren Tredrea.

Geof leaves behind his children Wanita, Peter and Brett and their families. I often see and chat to Wanita at the gym in Blackwood, and I would like to take this opportunity to pass on my condolences to her and the rest of the family. In an article titled 'Mots joins the greats' by Jason Phelan, he wrote:

During his career, Motley was never dropped from the league…and [he] was never reported. During his time in league football, not being reported for foul play was a rare thing for a player as at the time having a certain amount of mongrel or thuggery was seen as a common thing.

A true legend in Glenalta, a true legend of the game, may he rest in peace.

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