Australian Football

Despite his comparatively small (185cm, 89kg) stature Gary Malarkey was arguably the finest full back in Australia during the late 1970s and early 80s. Aggressive and determined, he used his muscular frame to good effect when engaged in the man-on-man duels which are such an integral feature of full back play.

A member of East Perth's 1972 premiership team Malarkey also won the Royals' fairest and best award the following year before heading to Geelong in 1977. He played a total of 172 games for the Cats during a predominantly mediocre 10-season period for the club. Never the most eye-catchingly brilliant of players, he nevertheless excelled in those attributes which coaches value and seek to nurture: toughness, a refusal to accept defeat, and unglamorous 'one percent' tasks like shepherding, smothering, spoiling and chasing.

An integral member of many of Western Australia's early state of origin teams, Gary Malarkey was named an All Australian after the 1979 Perth carnival. He finished his playing career with Geelong West, and in 1988 was that club's last ever VFA coach.

Author - John Devaney