'Brilliant and brave' former AFL commissioner dies

The AFL has paid tribute to erstwhile commissioner Graeme John, who died connected Monday aft a agelong conflict with illness.

John played 144-games successful his top-level vocation for East Perth and South Melbourne, and won All Australian enactment astatine the 1966 Carnival.

After his playing career, helium spent 3 seasons arsenic manager for South Melbourne, and past different 3 years arsenic nine president.

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Post footy, helium became managing manager of Australia Post, earlier helium was appointed AFL commissioner successful 2001, a relation helium would clasp for the adjacent decade.

"Graeme John was a high-class centre half-forward who was bully capable to triumph authorities enactment successful some WA and Victoria, earlier dedicating years of work to the crippled off-field successful honorary roles astatine some nine and elder AFL level," AFL Commission seat Richard Goyder said.

Graeme John (second from right, looking astatine camera), bwith South Melbourne players Peter Bedford, Ricky Quade, Norm Goss, Reserves manager Ken McCormack, David McLeish and Jim Prentice successful 1973. (File)

"His imaginativeness arsenic portion of the AFL Commission helped thrust the game's maturation successful Queensland and New South Wales, and built a almighty bequest for the contention we person today.

"Our thoughts are with Di and children Rebecca, Andrea and Gareth astatine this terribly bittersweet clip for them."

John was besides a weapon cricketer, and was selected successful WA's Sheffield Shield broadside earlier turning his absorption to footy.

He remained a passionate Bloods protagonist done their relocation to Sydney.

Sydney Swans Team of the Century fullback John Heriot – who was teammates with John and a longstanding person – described him arsenic a "brilliant and brave" player.

"He was a truly bully friend. And I had the privilege and pleasance of having him arsenic a teammate during his vocation astatine the club," Heriot said.

"He was a large subordinate successful the hardest presumption of the field. Brilliant and brave.

"At the aforesaid time, helium was a terrific clubman. He was not lone an accomplished vocalist but a precise comic joke-teller. He was ever welcoming of caller players to the nine and each our younger aspiring footballers.

"I was arrogant helium was my mate."

John's decease came conscionable hours aft erstwhile Fitzroy champion and renowned recruiter Matthew Rendell suffered a fatal bosom onslaught portion walking his dog.

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