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0 Controversial Aussie Rules player David Granger has died from cancer.
His former club, Port Adelaide, confirmed on Friday the man nicknamed “Grave Danger” had succumbed to the illness at age 69.
“The Port Adelaide Football Club is saddened by the passing of two-time premiership player David Granger who passed away yesterday at the age of 69,” a statement read.
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In a decade-long career, Granger kicked 92 goals and represented Port Adelaide in 102 games from 1975 to 1982. He also played three games for St Kilda in 1979.
Granger was a controversial figure on and off the field.
During the 1981 SANFL grand final, he famously king hit Neville “Twiggy” Caldwell and effectively ended his career.
In 2002, he was convicted for trafficking 17kg of cannabis. Upwards of $35,000 worth of cannabis was also found at his home.
In 2014, Granger was taken to court after being accused of assault for throwing a bucket of water on the speaker of South Australia’s state parliament.
Premiership-winning captain Brian Cunningham said his “football talent and enormous skills were often underplayed due to his notoriety.”
Cunningham added, “He was misunderstood by others outside the club and sadly I don’t think we ever saw the best of David’s raw talent consistently on the field,” Cunningham said.
“I will remember him as enormously talented and someone who played a key role in our premiership successes in the late 1970s and early 1980s.”
Cunningham spoke positively about Granger’s impact on the field.
“David predominantly played as a strong centre-half-forward in an era when it was a very difficult position to play,” he said.
“He could reach high and take a powerful pack mark and possessed a beautiful, long kick.
“David played a crucial role in our premiership success in 1977 and 1981, establishing a formidable partnership with full-forward Tim Evans.
“He was a focal point for our game plan and if he didn’t mark the ball he would always bring the ball to ground and provide opportunities for others to benefit.”
Port Adelaide chief executive Matthew Richardson paid tribute to Granger.
“The Port Adelaide Football Club extends its condolences to David’s daughter Carly and family,” said Richardson.
“David had battled health issues in recent years and it’s sad to learn of his passing.
“David was an incredibly talented player during Port Adelaide’s reign in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
“He was a modern-day type player, 188 centimetres tall, athletic and strong. David was exceptionally talented and was instrumental in the club’s drought-breaking 1977 Grand Final victory.”
