Geoff Grover facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Geoff Grover |
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| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Geoffrey David Grover | ||
| Date of birth | 19 September 1943 | ||
| Date of death | 12 April 2017 (aged 73) | ||
| Original team | Caulfield Grammarians (VAFA) | ||
| Position(s) | full-back | ||
Geoff Grover (born September 19, 1943 – died April 12, 2017) was an Australian rules footballer. He was known for his strong play as a full-back. Geoff played for the St Kilda Football Club in the Victorian Football League (VFL). He also played many games for the Port Melbourne Football Club in the Victorian Football Association (VFA). After his football career, he became a successful business and marketing expert. Later in life, he worked in real estate.
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Early Life and School Days
Geoffrey David Grover was born in Glen Huntly, Victoria, on September 19, 1943. He went to Albury Grammar School and Caulfield Grammar School. Geoff was a good student and athlete. In his final year at Caulfield Grammar (1960), he was a prefect. He also played for the school's top cricket and football teams.
He later studied at the University of Melbourne and Monash University. He earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Melbourne in 1968.
Football Career
Geoff Grover was a tough and quick footballer. He was known for his strong overhead marks. He could kick the ball long distances. He was also unique because he was left-handed for bouncing and handballing, but right-footed for kicking!
Playing in the VAFA
After school, Geoff played for the Caulfield Grammarians Football Club. This team was part of the Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA). He played nearly 40 senior games in 1961 and 1962. In 1961, his team won the D Section Grand Final.
Playing in the VFL
In 1963, Geoff joined the St Kilda Football Club in the Victorian Football League (VFL). In his first year, he played in the Reserves Grand Final. This game was at the MCG in front of over 100,000 people! St Kilda Reserves lost to Geelong that day.
He made his senior VFL debut for St Kilda on July 18, 1964. He played as a full-back. He played two senior games for St Kilda in total.
Playing in the VFA
At the end of 1964, Geoff moved to the Port Melbourne Football Club in the Victorian Football Association (VFA). He played 119 senior games for Port Melbourne. He played in three Grand Finals with them: 1965, 1966, and 1967.
- In 1965, he was one of the best players in the Grand Final. Port Melbourne lost that game.
- In 1966, he played a strong game at full-back. Port Melbourne won the Grand Final against Waverley.
1967 VFA Grand Final
On September 24, 1967, Port Melbourne played Dandenong in the VFA Grand Final. Geoff was one of Port Melbourne's best players. It was a very tough game. Dandenong won the match.
Representing the VFA
Geoff also represented the VFA team in the 1966 Hobart Carnival. This was a big football tournament. He played strongly as a full-back in three games. He played against famous players like Peter Hudson and Ted Whitten. Geoff played so well that he would have been chosen for the "All-Australian team" if the VFA had been allowed to have a player in it that year.
Coaching in the EDFL
After leaving Port Melbourne in 1971, Geoff became a captain-coach. He led the Ferntree Gully Football Club in the Eastern Districts Football League for two seasons (1972 and 1973). He stopped playing football when he got a big promotion at his job.
Football Recognition
In 2003, Geoff was nominated for Port Melbourne's "Team of the Century". This was to recognize his consistent and excellent play.
Life After Football
After his football career, Geoff became a strong leader in the business world. He held senior sales and marketing roles. He worked for Ford Motor Company, eventually becoming a National Sales and Marketing Manager. He also managed other companies. Later, he focused on real estate, especially resort and residential properties. He was a licensed real estate agent.
Geoff was also very involved in his community. He was the National President of the Furniture Manufacturers Association. He led various industry groups. He was also president of junior sports clubs and school parent committees. He was a member of the Mt. Coolum Golf Club.
See also
- List of Caulfield Grammar School people
- List of University of Melbourne people
- List of Monash University people
- 1967 VFA Grand Final
