Australian Football

Dual Brownlow Medallist Keith Greig was one of the most exciting footballers of his era. Following a brief stint with Brunswick he embarked on a glittering 294-game career with North Melbourne during which his trademark long stride became one of football's most recognisable sights. Winner of the Brownlow Medal in both 1973 and 1974, he somewhat ironically failed to land North Melbourne's club champion award in both years, before ultimately breaking through in 1980.

A Big V representative on 13 occasions, Greig was equally proficient as a wingman or on a half back flank. He was one of North's best - on a wing - in its drought-breaking Grand Final defeat of Hawthorn in 1975 (the club's first premiership since its VFA days), and was also among the best in the 'Roos' Grand Final losses of 1974 and 1976. Perhaps the major disappointment of his career came in 1977 when, as club skipper, he was absent because of injury from both the Grand Final and Grand Final Replay against Collingwood, which yielded North's second VFL flag.

Injury also blighted the later stages of Greig's career so that once he reached the 300-game milestone (including state representative games) it was of little surprise to anyone when he announced his retirement.

Author - John Devaney