Des Graham was part of a family whose achievements in Tasmanian football were outstanding. They all played for North Hobart and for almost three decades the Graham brothers: Tas, Stan, Lyall and Des played well over 700 games for the Robins. It was Des however, whose record is indelibly etched into the annals of the famous North Hobart club. There were few tougher league players than Des Graham but as history shows he had a truly gentle nature when the battle was over.
The Graham's were from the east coast, and young Des played his first senior game with Swansea at the tender age of 13. Two years later they won the flag however the league disbanded and as a fifteen year old Des Graham moved to Hobart. He ventured south to play with brother Stan at North Hobart. Graham had one year with Buckingham in the State School Old Boys for a premiership; then graduated to the seniors to be a member of North's premiership side in 1957. At seventeen Graham had already experienced premiership success and the following year added the first of many club best & fairest awards to his trophy cabinet.
The redlegs grabbed the flag again in 1961, but unfortunately Graham was missing, compliments of suspension; something that happened at various intervals throughout his long career. 1962 was a repeat performance with North Hobart making it back-to-back flags. This time Graham didn't miss out and his performance on Grand final day was outstanding. Under the guidance of coach Darrel "Dasher" Eaton and ably captained by Peter "Trunky" Marquis
the Robins out gunned a determined Clarence combination.
Renowned for his tenacity and determination Graham was a prolific ball winner and kick getter. Described by press of the day as one of fieriest players in the league he rarely put in a bad game. Team mate, Graham "Harry" Dwyer reckoned he was mildly affected by "white line fever."
The Robins had a five year wait before taking the flag again in 1967. This year was a remarkable achievement by the club as they had come from wooden spooners the year before to take the title under first year coach John Devine. Graham recalled the excitement around the club after this success but also remembered the disappointment of the state final against Wynyard two weeks later. It was this game that saw the match declared a "no game" after fans removed the goal posts. "It was the most disappointing game I ever played in." Graham said this week. "At least if you got beat you had to take it. But we played the game for no result. The players, spectators,
officials, everyone was confused." he recalled.
1968 saw the Demons as raging hot favourites go down to New Norfolk before bouncing back in 1969 to win the premiership against Clarence. Graham was easily best on the ground, but his after match gesture was even better. Graham gave his guernsey to a young disabled supporter and so revealed his true gentle nature. The Robins then went on to annihilate Northern premiers Launceston, to take the coveted State title.
Graham retired at the end of the 1971 season to coach Franklin for two seasons in the Huon, then returned "home" to coach Swansea for 5 seasons before retiring in 1980.
In all Graham played 229 games with North Hobart, 9 for the TFL and 3 for the State. He played in 7 grand finals winning four, including a State premiership and won North Hobart's best and fairest award a record equalling five times.
After 38 years with the Hydro, Graham retired a few years ago and has since become involved with the Swansea club yet again - believe it or not as a goal umpire!
On his playing days Graham said there were none better or tougher than team mate and coach John Devine
. John Leedham
's skill and Noel Clarke
's goalkicking also made them match winners. Of the opposition: Roger Chapman from Sandy Bay and Kevin Marsh were difficult opponents while Paul Plunkett from New Norfolk and David Sullivan from Hobart were always hard to match. Graham remembered playing on a young kid at the TCA one day. " Really gave me the run around - always seemed to be where the ball was" he laughed . "Turned out to be Ian Stewart
, he only won three Brownlows " Graham joked.
These days, when Swansea aren't playing, Graham watches his beloved North Hobart -" the good old demons. " Graham was a prolific ball getter and a fierce competitor; if there was anyone tougher we never saw them. " I still get itchy feet - we need a few experienced players to support the young blokes " he said. Des Graham: Truly, a demon by name and a demon by nature.
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Des Graham - A Tasmanian Football Legend
