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.
Granger played predominantly as a key forward representing Port Adelaide in 103 games from 1975 to 1982. In between, he played three games for St Kilda in 1979.
Port Adelaide chief executive Matthew Richardson says Granger struggled with health issues in recent years.
“The Port Adelaide Football Club extends its condolences to David’s daughter Carly and family,” Mr Richardson said.
“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.”
Granger’s 1981 Premiership captain Brian Cunningham said “his football talent and enormous skills were often underplayed due to his notoriety.”
“David predominantly played as a strong centre-half-forward in an era when it was a very difficult position to play,” Cunningham recalled.
“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.”
Despite the public opinion that surrounded Granger, Cunningham remembered him in his playing days as a loyal team man who always had Port Adelaide at heart.
“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.”
