THE Port Adelaide Football Club is saddened to learn of the passing of 1951 premiership player, Norm ‘Choc’ Davis.
A Port Adelaide supporter all his life, Norm played reserves football with North Adelaide but always dreamed of pulling on the famous Prison Bar jumper for the Magpies.
He patiently declined requests from North Adelaide, Norwood, South, West, Glenelg and Sturt until a letter from Bob McLean inviting him to train at Alberton arrived in March, 1949.
Norm would make his debut later that season, ironically against the Roosters.
After a year back with his home club Riverton in 1950, Norm returned to Port Adelaide in 1951 and was a member of the club’s SANFL Jubilee premiership-winning side later that year.
He would also take the field in Port Adelaide’s famous clash with VFL premiers Geelong the following week.
Post-Port Adelaide, Norm enjoyed a successful footballing career with Riverton, enjoying eight premierships and claiming two Mail Medals and five best and fairest.
He would then go on to become an equally successful coach, mentoring his sides to 10 premierships in 16 Grand Final appearances in over a quarter of a century as a coach.
However, Norm remained a Magpie at heart, with Riverton folklore telling that after each Port Adelaide premiership, he would drive his tractor up and down the main street with the club song blaring.
Our thoughts are with Norm’s family and friends during this time.
