Graham Teasdale

1975-1981
125 games
138 goals
Brownlow Medal 1977
Best & Fairest 1977
Leading Goalkicker 1975, 1977

Bio 

Beyond the statistics, goals, and accolades, Graham Teasdale's 1977 Brownlow Medal-winning season tells a story of resilience, consistency, and excellence within a rapidly evolving league. It was also a pivotal moment for South Melbourne, showcasing a beacon of individual brilliance in a period characterised by struggles both on and off the field.

Many astute judges, including Teasdale's former Swans coach Ian Stewart and fellow Swans Hall of Famer Mark Browning, believe he played the most dominant season of football they've ever seen. He'd always been talented, but that year, he was extraordinary.

Teasdale's journey began in the North Central Victorian river town of Charlton. At just 15, he made his debut for the Charlton Footy Club seniors and played in the Grand Final later that year. The Navy Blues may have lost the decider, but their young prodigy left a lasting impression with a spectacular goal that caught the eye of Richmond scout Leo Rush.

An Essendon supporter but zoned to the Tigers, Teasdale leapt at the chance to join a VFL club. So, in 1972, at 16, he moved to Punt Road. His initial season in the Under 19s captured the attention of Melbourne's many pundits, as Teasdale topped the league's goalkicking with 84 majors. The following year, he played predominantly in the reserves before making his senior debut in Round Ten against the Swans, kicking six goals.

That initial success spurred the aspiring full-forward through a grueling pre-season in which he took his running abilities to a higher level. Frustratingly, though, he didn't play a senior match in 1974. When South Melbourne and Richmond became entangled over a bitter player transfer dispute, South Melbourne coach Graeme John had Teasdale's stunning league debut fresh in his memory.

In a landmark deal that saw South's star wingman John Pitura join the Tigers, Richmond trio Teasdale, Francis Jackson and Brian 'The Whale' Roberts arrived at the Lake Oval partway through the 1975 season. This trade, which must be considered one of the club's greatest ever, significantly bolstered South Melbourne's lineup.

Teasdale told Jim Main that the Tiger 'big three' — coach Tom Hafey and officials Graeme Richmond and Alan Schwab — wanted to see him in the club offices. "I thought I was in trouble," Teasdale said. "Instead, they told me South was interested in signing me, and I was asked, 'So what do you think'?"

Teasdale, excited by the move, made an instant impact with the Swans, kicking 38 goals from 15 games to claim the club's leading goalkicker award in 1975. His aerial brilliance and prodigious kicking ensured the Lake Oval faithful adored their new star. The following year, he alternated between full-back and full-forward, kicking 36 goals during Ian Stewart's first season in charge.

In a television interview early in the 1977 season, Teasdale highlighted the positive impact an increased focus on physical fitness had on his form. "I did a very heavy pre-season with John Toleman at Caulfield and the Botanical Gardens, training five nights a week from October until late January, so I still have plenty of run in my legs."

In the opening round win over Melbourne, Teasdale sparkled at full-forward, kicking eight goals, prompting renowned journalist Geoff Poulter to write in The Age, "Teasdale's spectacular display of leaping and marking must have thrilled even Bob Pratt, who was sitting in the grandstand."

The next week, Teasdale kicked nine against Essendon, but like the team, he subsequently experienced a dip in form. And, after regular ruckman Barry Goodingham broke his arm, Teasdale was in line for a change in position. He later recalled, "Ian Stewart looked around and said, 'You're the next tallest player. Do you want to have a go in the ruck?'

"I'd tailed off at full-forward and said, 'Yeah, that'll suit me down to the ground.' I had a bit of freedom to run around and chase the ball instead of being in a static position where you have to rely on the supply of the ball. South wasn't a strong side during the 1970s and sometimes it was hard work at full-forward."

In June, Teasdale represented Victoria in state games against Tasmania and Western Australia. The more football he played in the ruck, the more he excelled, and South Melbourne had won four of their last five games, leading into a crucial final round clash against eventual premier, North Melbourne at Arden Street.

Trailing by 23 points at the final break, the Swans drew upon seemingly endless reserves of resilience to storm home with a famous ten-point win. Teasdale put in a herculean performance, with 26 disposals, 12 marks, and a goal, while also winning the ruck battle at stoppages. And so, South Melbourne reached the finals for the second time in 32 years.

On the following Monday night, Teasdale entered the Brownlow Medal count as one of the leading contenders to win the coveted award, and the 22-year-old ruckman raced to victory, polling 59 votes, 14 ahead of runner-up Kevin Bartlett. After the win, he told Mike Sheahan, "It gives me a lot of personal satisfaction to win the medal after being given away by Richmond. I expected to poll reasonably, but I was surprised to do so well." Afterwards, Stewart declared Teasdale "a great champion and a worthy winner. He has had a lot of knocks in his football career.”

Teasdale cherishes that Brownlow Medal but, like his teammates, remains disappointed to lose their elimination final to Richmond the following weekend, bringing an abrupt halt to a sensational season. Teasdale attracted intense physical treatment early in the game, rendering his impact minimal. The next year, despite lingering knee concerns, he performed well again, finishing runner-up in the Swans' best and fairest, sixth in the 1978 Brownlow Medal count, and earned selection in the Victorian squad for the second year running.

However, after the season, Teasdale applied for a clearance to Carlton due to a contractual dispute. Seemingly resolved, Teasdale spent some time as the club's acting captain, but in July '79, he returned home to Charlton in what appeared to be his final move as a Swan. The saga, saddening for all Swans, saw Teasdale suspended by the club, with most believing he'd never return.

Collingwood joined Carlton in trying to secure Teasdale's clearance, but with South refusing to release its star big man, he eventually returned for the Swans' opening match of the 1980 season. Teasdale played consistently, featuring in every game, forming a formidable ruck combination with Bloods Champion Barry Round.

Then, after the tumultuous 1981 season that ultimately saw South Melbourne relocate to Sydney, Teasdale joined Collingwood, citing greater opportunities for team success. He later told Gary Hancock in The Brownlow, "I had a contract where at the end of it, I had the opportunity to go to any club I wanted."

"What they had to face when they went up to Sydney was pretty much the same as the conditions in a country club, whereas Collingwood had facilities at the opposite end of the scale — the spas, the magnificent gymnasium and all the rest of it. At that stage, I was getting towards 27; I thought it was too late in my career to be a pioneer."

Further knee injuries brought an end to his outstanding career after two seasons with the Magpies. Teasdale retained his red and white connection, though, often seen among past players attending Swans matches. And for those who saw the Swans' number 20 soaring through that fabled 1977 season, each sighting provokes a glut of glorious memories.