Australian Football

After failing to establish himself at Melbourne, where he played just one senior game in 1958, Graeme Wilkinson was recruited by Richmond. A key position forward of considerable aerial ability, he played 29 VFL games and scored 32 goals for the Tigers in 1960-1. He was the team’s leading goal kicker in 1960, albeit with the comparatively meagre tally of 21 goals, and he won the following year’s reserves best and fairest award.

The 1962 season found Wilkinson at NTFA club City-South where he would enjoy considerable success over the course of an 11 year stint. Among his achievements were:

• NTFA premiership player in 1962 and 1966
• club best and fairest 1968
• competition top goal kicker with 54 goals in 1968
• club leading goal kicker seven times
• 19 appearances and 31 goals for the NTFA representative team
• eight games and 12 goals for Tasmania

After retiring as a player Wilkinson remained in Tasmania. He coached City-South to a flag in 1972, and later covered football on both TV and radio.

Author - John Devaney