Australian Football

Best remembered as a wingman, but capable of playing in a variety of positions, including half forward flank and even full forward, Graeme 'Gypsy' Lee commenced his senior career with Wynyard towards the end of the 1956 season, shortly after his 17th birthday. He had played 43 games for the club by the time he crossed to the mainland in 1960 in order to join St Kilda where he added 18 senior games in an injury-affected three-season spell. He returned to Tasmania in 1963 and joined Launceston as captain-coach. Between that year and 1967 he kept the Blues among the leading clubs in the NTFA, albeit without securing a premiership.

A regular Tasmanian interstate representative during this phase of his career, Lee captained the state in 1965 as well as at the 1966 Hobart carnival. It was at that carnival that he produced some of the best football of his career, earning plaudits as Tasmania's best player of the series, finishing joint third in the Tassie Medal voting, and gaining selection in the All Australian team.

Pacy, clever and a superb drop kick, Lee proved beyond doubt that, when fit, he could match it with the very best footballers from Victoria, Western Australia and South Australia. In 1968, after 90 games for Launceston, Lee transferred to East Devonport as captain-coach, where he was immediately successful in steering the club to its first flag in 20 years. He remained with the Swans until 1975, playing a total of 127 NWFU games, and serving as captain-coach from 1968 to 1970 as well as in his last two seasons.

In addition to his 278 senior club appearances, Lee represented Tasmania a total of 11 times, and played representative football for both the NTFA and the NWFU. In March 2001 he was selected on a half forward flank in Launceston's official team of the Century.

Author - John Devaney