Australian Football

Geoff Austen was a dynamic, highly mobile ruckman who gave solid service to two VFL clubs before enjoying an Indian summer to his career in the VFA. The son of former Hawthorn player Ces Austen he joined Fitzroy from Macleod-Rosanna and played 85 games and kicked 35 goals for the club between 1972 and 1978. He joined Collingwood in 1979 and, whewn selected, which was not all that often, operated as a support ruckman to that year's eventual Brownlow Medallist, Peter Moore.

After 13 VFL games and three goals in three seasons with the Magpies Austen crossed to Preston in the VFA where he rounded off his career in style, winning the 1982 Liston Trophy and helping the side to the following year's first division flag when he also won the Norm Goss Memorial Medal as best afield in the grand final. His stint with the Bullants comprised 27 games in which he scored 16 goals.

Author - John Devaney