Geof Motley, Port Adelaide

Combining tremendous fairness - he was never once reported - with a fearlessly dynamic approach to the game, Geof Motley might almost be regarded as the personification of the award he finally won after several near misses in 1964, the Magarey Medal. Jeff Pash's eloquent tribute admirably evokes and encapsulates the Motley style:

He is fearless and resolute, but the resolution is jolly and good-humoured - no kicking in ruck. The shape of his flying play for the ball and of his recovery is brave and pleasing; he flies with abandon and bounces up smiling from some impossible rolls and spills.

Others certainly have more elegant techniques, and they, too, are admired in their place; but Motley is unique.

Part of this uniqueness was a near universal popularity; it was difficult for even the most one-eyed of opposition supporters to dislike Motley, and when he won his aforementioned Magarey Medal in 1964 it was greeted with widespread and unadulterated acclaim. He was also the consummate team man, a fact evidenced in 1963 when he was the recipient of the Football Writers', Commentators' Award for the most valuable all round player to his club.

The only man to participate in all nine of Port Adelaide's premiership teams between 1954 and 1965, Geof Motley played a total of 250 SANFL games for the Magpies between 1953 and 1966. He also represented his state on 28 occasions, with the standard of his performances gradually improving over time.

Captain-coach of Port's 1959 flag-winning side, Motley later coached North Adelaide for three seasons after his retirement as a player. His son, Peter Motley, later played for Sturt and Carlton.

great player!!!!....
i wonder how Peters going these days???...

1964 was a big year for Geoff Motley.

1 Magarey
2 Son , Peter born

Peter is always present at Sturt games and has apparently opened a Restaurant.
Given his unfortunate accident he always seems approachable, cheerful and genuinely interested in the Double Blues fortunes.

I never saw Geoff play, but by all accounts of his reported character, it is no surprise to see how his son played the game, albeit for too short a time.

Peter is my vintage (in chronology not talent) and I always regard it as a privilege to have seen him play for the whole of his sanfl career. The Club had the good judgement to assess and reward that career with a selection in the Sutrt Team of the Century.

Whilst I am not close to the family in any way, from afar, you can see the character and integrity that is exuded by them in all that they do.

The Motleys will forever be regarded as a "special" (no Bwuce analogy intended) family within sanfl circles.