The Port Adelaide Football Club is mourning the passing of three-time SANFL premiership player Allen Greer who died this week aged 90.
A member of the 1951, 1954 and 1955 premiership sides, Greer played 173 games for the club in a career spanning eleven seasons between 1946 and 1956.
Greer was vice-captain of the club and was a key part of the team which won an Australian record six consecutive premierships.
A life member of the Port Adelaide Football Club and the SANFL, Greer was the club’s oldest known surviving premiership player.
A rugged defender wearing the number 4, Greer won the club’s 1949 Most Improved award.
A lifelong Port Adelaide supporter, Greer went on to coach West Torrens and Adelaide Uni, winning four premierships with “the Blacks”.
 |
Club great Geof Motley played with Greer in the 1950s, went into business with him, and remained in contact with him until his passing.
He described his friend as a man and a footballer who was respected just as much by other clubs as he was within the walls of Port Adelaide.
“He didn’t have the skills of high hands or long kicking but he was extremely quick, just very fast over the ground as a half-back flanker,” Motley said.
“They used to have some races at the end of the year and someone from each club would be represented and he always did well there.”
“He was always reliable, very rarely did he ever have his colours lowered as a player, and while he wasn’t the most talented, his consistency and his loyalty and performance for the club was right up there.”
Motley said Greer had risen through the junior ranks at Alberton and was the epitome of the Port Adelaide faithful.
“He was born, he reckoned, to play at Port Adelaide for Port Adelaide and the people of Port Adelaide in the black and white jumper,” he said.
“Every event that happened down there at the Port Club, even after his retirement, you’d see Allen Greer because his commitment to the club wasn’t just as a player, it was as a supporter and a through and through Port Adelaide person.
“He’ll be sadly missed by so many of us.”
Four-time Magarey Medallist Russell Ebert knew Greer well, having gone into business with him and Motley.
“Allen was one of those ex-players who used to come down and watch training and had a keen eye on what the sides were doing – both the Magpies and the Power – and he wouldn’t hold back either with some advice to coaches and players.”
“Al was a very passionate Port Adelaide person and a really good footy person as well.
“He was very much a gentleman, he loved people and certainly loved his footy.”
“His loss will be felt extremely deeply by everyone at the Port Adelaide Football Club because he still had his ties here and his contribution was immense.”
The Port Adelaide Football Club extends its sympathies to Greer’s family, friends and former club mates.
More on portadelaidefc.com.au...
