Like most newborn children former New Norfolk Captain/Coach Ricky Graham came into the world kicking. It was this attribute that Graham became renowned for in TFL ranks. The son of former South Melbourne star ruckman Jack Graham, local footy followers will remember Ricky Graham for his skilful disposal, superb fitness and most of all his long kicking.
He now runs a huge holiday resort at Port Vila in Vanuatu.
Graham began his career in the Geelong District and made the final 20 in Geelong's 1967 attempt to defeat Richmond. Many say this was the greatest VFL final for half a century. At the age of 19 Graham came off the bench in the last quarter to score from over 60 metres out - only to see the Cats fail by 9 points. In five seasons between 1965-69 he played a total of 107 club games with the Cats; winning the 1967 Gardiner Medal in the process.
In 1970 Graham was lured to Tasmania and took over as coach of TFL club New Norfolk. While not snaring a premiership with the Eagles his three year coaching stint realised Preliminary Final and Grand Final appearances. He won the Weller Arnold Medal in his first year in TFL ranks.
Graham showed his true worth in 1972 when he won the William Leitch Medal and captained the State side at the national carnival in Perth.
The 1972 Tasmanian Carnival Team. Ricky Graham is sitting fifth from left just to the right of non playing coach Darrel Baldock.
Also in the picture are Graeme Mackey (back row third from right), Trevor Sprigg (second row, second from right), Kerry Doran (front row, second from left) and Daryl Sutton (front row, third from right).
In 1973 Graham was appointed coach of Ulverstone on the North West Coast. In his four years Graham had Ulverstone in the Grand Final three times; winning the flag in 1976 and subsequently taking the state premiership. Soon after Graham went to Queensland to Coach local side Windsor/Zillemere; taking them to the Grand and Preliminary finals in his two year contract. It was here that he became involved in real estate and land developing. By 1990 Graham really started to kick and after a very successful career in property development in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast he purchased the IRRIKKI Resort in Vanuatu.
Graham has been living there since 1990 and apart from a 2 year stint on the Brisbane Bears board following the Skase debacle has had little to do with football in recent times. Graham still follows the Cats where his nephew Ben, plays at fullback. Like his uncle Ben Graham is also renowned for his prodigious kicking. Ricky Graham still has ties with Tassy and has provided a fully paid holiday to the best clubman at Ulverstone Football Club for the past 15 years.
Graham has two sons who enjoyed footy at a younger age but both became keen surfers following their move to the sunshine state. Simon who is a Microsoft computer engineer lives in Brisbane and Christian is a legal eagle and resides in London.
This week Graham recalled his days in Tasmania and remembered the local opposition coaches, John Bingley
, John Devine
, Trevor Sprigg
and Rod Olsen as some of the stars of the league. Sandy Bay's Roger Steele
always impressed with his ball getting skills and excellent disposal and was probably his toughest and most skilful opponent. Two talented youngsters he encountered on his stay in Tasmania were Peter Latham at New Norfolk and Kerry Good at Ulverstone.
As Steve Miller once said "Fly Like an Eagle" and this former Eagle has flown a long way since running a shoe shop in High Street, New Norfolk in the early 70's.
Ricky Graham just keeps on flying and these days is kicking BIGGER than ever.
Back to Top
