Australian Football

An ever vigorous utility player originally from Dandenong, Craig Crowley arrived with little fuss on the Gold Coast for Southport’s entry to the then AFLQ competition in 1983 and turned out to be one of the club’s all-time greats – as a player and coach. He played 190 games for the Sharks from 1983 to 1993, winning the best and fairest in 1988 and 1989, and playing in six premiership teams (1983, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990, and 1992), a club record he shares with Jason Cotter and Clint Watts. Always one to put the team first, he played with a real vigor that was matched only by his skill and football nous.

Crowley represented his adopted state 12 times, including as captain in 1991 and 1992, and was honoured as an inaugural inductee into the Southport Hall of Fame and later with selection at half back in the Southport Celebration Team of 1983-2008.

For some time Crowley was regarded at the club as a coach in waiting, and he took on numerous under age and assistant coaching roles during the latter stages of his playing career and post retirement, He assumed the senior position in 2006 following Norm Dare’s resignation, and won the flag in his first season at the helm and has guided the Sharks to three grand finals in as many years, adding another premiership in 2008. 

Author - Murray Bird and Peter Blucher