Australian Football

Jim Main's greatest 100: Graham Moss

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WINNING THE Brownlow Medal is an ambition many champion footballers aspire to. However, many are called and few are chosen. The coveted trophy has eluded even the best of footballers, like the number one footballer in this book, Ted Whitten. And when a footballer does win a Brownlow Medal, he is usually feted by one and all. The last thing he would do is turn his back on the VFL.

But that’s exactly what Essendon’s Graham Moss did when he won the 1976 Brownlow Medal from Hawthorn centre half back Peter Knights. Moss decided only weeks after winning his Brownlow that he would return to Western Australia to play with his old club Claremont. He was appointed playing coach of Claremont, and there was nothing Essendon could do about it. They frantically tried to match Claremont’s offer, and many reports even indicated that they bettered the offer, all to no avail. Moss had decided to return to the West.

Moss joined the Bombers in 1973 with a great reputation as an interstate ruckman. He was still only 22, but had beaten the best in Australia in interstate matches. Moss quickly came under the wing of Essendon coach Des Tuddenham, who rated the big Western Australian the most promising ruckman on the VFL scene for many years. Moss didn't take long to show his real talent. He carried the Essendon rucks during his four years at Windy Hill, often winning matches through his own talent. At 6.5 and 16.0 he had bulk on his side, and he knew how and when to use it.

He was a sensation in his first year, finishing runner-up to North’s Keith Greig in the Brownlow Medal in 1973. Greig polled 27 votes, with Moss only two votes behind him. Even then it was obvious that sooner or later Moss would win a Brownlow. He had relatively quiet years, Brownlow-wise, in 1974 and 1975, but raced away with the award in 1976. He had played magnificent football throughout the season and many critics considered the Brownlow vote a foregone conclusion. Moss had to survive a strong challenge from Knights, but took the medal he deserved.

Moss's value to Essenion could be gauged on the fourth VFL round of 1976. Essendon were playing a fairly weak South Melbourne at the Albert Park ground. Essendon were without Moss interstate playing for Victoria. South were without Robert Dean and David McLeish, but were miles too strong for Essendon. Almost every match report said that Essendon were badly whipped in the ruck and had no one to counter South's big men. Essendon were pathetic without the big fellow, and they knew it.

Moss suffered a knee injury during the 1976 season but the Bombers worked overtime getting him to the ground each week. They knew that without him they were a goals weaker side.

Moss, during his VFL career, was rarely beaten for ruck knocks. He used his body superbly to get into the best position to feed his rovers. However, the best aspect of his game probably was his handball. He would pluck the ball out of the air and immediately send the Bombers on their way with sharp handpasses to teammates running down the ground. He also outmarked the best the opposition could throw against him.

Moss would rest either in the back or forward pocket, with equal ease. In fact, either Des Tuddenharn or Bill Stephen would throw him into the pocket where he was most needed. If Essendon were in trouble Moss would be thrown onto the backline where his marking would halt any advances. On the forward line he would often kick goals to either give Essendon chance of victory or actually sealing a result. In all, he kicked 67 goals in his 88 games for Essendon. That was a mighty effort considering he rarely played on the forward line for long periods.

When Moss joined Essendon the Bombers agreed with Claremont that they would clear the champion ruckman back to them when Moss wanted to return. Essendon were held to their word, much to their displeasure. They had lost a champion and there was nothing they could do about it.

But when Moss returned early in 1977 to receive the club's best and fairest award he won in 1976, he was given a standing ovation. They will never forget Moss’ great efforts down at Windy Hill, the home of many champions.