THE PORT ADELAIDE Football Club is mourning the loss of one of its oldest living premiership players, Tom Garland.
Thomas Edward Garland played 136 games and booted 86 goals for the club between 1952 and 1958.
He made his debut against Glenelg at Adelaide Oval in Round 1 of the 1952 season and would enjoy remarkable success, playing in five of the club’s Australian record six consecutive premierships between 1954 and 1959.
A relatively late starter at Port Adelaide, having previously played one game for West Torrens in 1945, Garland was a mobile forward/ruck and topped Port Adelaide’s goal kicking in 1954 with 44 goals.
Tom Garland was a Port Adelaide Football Club Life Member, and among his roles after his playing career he was Chairman of Selectors and very active with the Past Players and Life Members Committees for many years.
He was a true gentleman and remained a passionate Port Adelaide person until his death in hospital on Thursday, aged 94.
The Port Adelaide Football Club sends its sincerest condolences to his sons Rod and Timothy, his wider family and friends, and former club mates.
