Geof Motley died at the age of 88! Obituary and details!

South Australian football has lost one of its most decorated players with the death of Geof Motley.

The 88-year-old died on Tuesday afternoon after a short illness, Port Adelaide Football Club said in a statement. In his 14-year career at Port Adelaide, Motley played in a record nine premiership teams, including four as captain.

Despite espousing the solid Magpie ethos, Motley was never reported for 258 matches and never argued with referees because “I haven’t seen anyone change their mind yet”.

Motley grew up in Port Adelaide and made his debut in 1953 at the age of 17.

The following season he won the first of Port Adelaide’s record-breaking six flags. In the 1957 grand final against arch-rivals Norwood, he was moved from center forward to support the Magpies and responded with seven goals – including four in the final quarter.

Coach Fos Williams once said, “When I am asked to name the player who has brought trust and loyalty at Port Adelaide, he is the first player that comes to my mind.” “He was an extremely reliable footballer, whether half forward or half back.”

When Williams left as manager in 1958, Motley captain-coached the Magpies to victory; it was a feat he considered his greatest moment. “I found [Williams’s] shoes quite big” he later said.

“We lost our first minor tour match and won the rest.

“It was probably the most important moment of my football life, because if you coach and captain and do those kinds of things, you give it more meaning.”