Australian Football

One of those players who seems blessed (or cursed) with a total disregard for personal safety, Roger Clift in many ways epitomised the Port Adelaide ethic, in which courage, determination and selflessness are central.

Clift, who hailed from Jamestown, made his Magpies debut in 1948, and went on to play a total of 155 club and five interstate games, as well as participate in four premiership teams. He won Port’s best and fairest award in 1954. Mainly used as a centre half back, he was in some ways a prototype of the modern practitioner of that position with his attacking mentality and his penchant for backing his judgement rather than religiously affixing his attention on his opponent. He retired at the end of the 1955 season.

Always a favourite with Port fans because of his cheerful demeanour and overtly reckless devotion to the team cause, Roger Clift died at a tragically young age after sustaining a heart attack while playing squash.

Author - John Devaney