The Sydney Swans are saddened to learn of the passing of former South Melbourne player Brian McGowan, who played 118 games and kicked 171 goals between 1955 to 1963. We offer our heartfelt sympathies to his family and friends.

The tribute below has been written by Brian’s Granddaughter Mikaela Giles.
 
Brian McGowan wore the number 3 guernsey and played 118 games and kicked 171 goals for South Melbourne between 1955 and 1963.
 
Brian, who was small in stature, asserted dominance as a skilful rover known for his goal-kicking ability, most notably as the bloods leading goalkicker in 1961.
 
Acknowledged as the shortest player in the league at the time, he was a tiny rover in a big man’s game, standing at 165 centimetres tall. His height was not an obstacle, and he utilised his diminutive stature as a weapon coupled with his instinct, courage and an extraordinary sense of the game. This grit placed him 10th in the 1959 Brownlow with the 2nd most votes of a South Melbourne player that year behind fellow rover Bob Skilton. 

Brian's stature elicited a fair amount of sledging on the part of opponents throughout the years. Notably, in 1963 against Essendon, the teams were accompanied onto the ground by about 40 young school children, dressed as club mascots. As the mascots were leaving the field prior to the start of play, the Bombers' 194cm ruckman Geoff Leek sidled over to Brian and said, "Hurry along there, sonny - all mascots off the field!"
 
Brian demonstrated his unforgiving toughness, love and passion for the game by being the first player to wear a bicycle helmet on the field in 1963 after a mid-week car accident. By wearing the helmet it allowed him to become the first South Melbourne player to play 100 consecutive games.

 In 1964 he moved to South Australia and joined Glenelg where he played 58 games and kicked 115 goals. In his inaugural year at the club, he won the club’s top goal scorer award followed by the best and fairest in 1965 before retiring at the end of the 1966 season as captain.
 
Since his footy days, Brian was the proud publican at the Oakbank Hotel. He was an avid punter (as a lover of horse racing and cars) but most importantly, doted on his grandchildren. Since transitioning into retirement, you would find him in the front bar, red wine in one hand, Saturday's racing form in the other in his much-beloved pub.
 
We extend our heartfelt condolences to his children Trudy, Boyd and Adam, and his adored grandchildren Mikaela, Shamus, Grace, Charlie, George and Max.
 
Thank you for your contribution to the club and your lifelong love of the red and white.
 
You will be missed but never forgotten.
 
Vale Brian McGowan