Today marks the anniversary of the passing of a Swans champion. Ruckman Jack Graham gave his all for the red and white during a magnificent 227-game career from 1935-49.

Graham died on April 14, 1984, following a succession of operations to help heal blows he took to the shin. Graham’s shins would bleed through most games he played but, rather than shirk from ruck duties, he returned to the rooms after every match, would take off his blood-soaked socks and then rinse them in a bucket.

His severe injuries never stopped him giving the Swans anything less than absolute commitment. Graham was one of the best ruckmen of his era, even though he started with South as a centre half-back.

South signed him from country club Red Cliffs after a lengthy battle with Collingwood for his services. In fact, Graham moved to Melbourne to sign with the Magpies, but changed his mind at the last minute and elected to play with the Swans.

After making his debut in 1935, he played at centre half-back in South’s losing (to Collingwood) Grand Final side the following season.

Unfortunately for Graham, he joined the Swans near the end of a golden era for the club and he never played in a premiership side, even though he rucked in the losing (to Carlton) Grand Final side.

Tall (191cm) and a magnificent mark, Graham’s speciality was the place-kick. Whenever he marked within range of goal, he would dig a divot with his right heel and place the ball at an angle on the divot for his trade-mark shot at goal.

He was recognised as the last player to specialise in this kick, although Fitzroy’s Tony Ongarello briefly experimented with the place-kick in the late 1950s.

Graham not only represented Victoria 15 times, but captained the Big White Vee in 1948.

He also was desperately unlucky not to win a Brownlow Medal as he was named Footballer of the Year in 1945 when the count was suspended because of World War II.

Graham had tried to enlist in the army, but was rejected because he was in a reserved occupation as a fireman.

Graham captained the Swans when regular skipper Matthews broke an ankle and missed most of the 1944 season and was captain in his own right from 1946-48.

After being replaced as captain by Bert Lucas, Graham played a further three games and then accepted the position as captain-coach of Victorian country club Minyip.

Among other coaching positions, Graham was coach of South Adelaide in 1950 and even made a brief (three games) comeback with the SANFL club.

He and wife Audrey eventually retired to the Gold Coast, where he died at just 68 years of age.