Australian Football

Jeff Sarau was a relentlessly tough ruckman who conceded inches to many of his opponents but who more than compensated for this with his aggressive, never say die attitude, coupled with his prodigious leaping ability. He played his early senior football with Sandringham in the VFA, playing 32 games and kicking 32 goals in 1971-2, but it was at St Kilda, where he made his VFL debut in 1973, that he made his name.

A quick learner, Sarau became a key player for the Saints during the mid-1970s, winning club best and fairest awards in 1975 and 1977. Despite suffering from numerous injuries over the course of his career there was never any question of his giving less than one hundred per cent. His time at St Kilda ended controversially when he was stripped of the club vice-captaincy prior to the start of the 1984 season and elected to transfer to West Torrens. He had played a total of 226 VFL games, and kicked 119 goals, besides representing Victoria twice. He was a success with the Eagles where he played 35 games in two years, winning the club's best and fairest award in his debut season.

In 1986, Sarau joined Frankston where he enjoyed an excellent season, finishing runner-up in the Liston Trophy as the Dolphins reached the Preliminary Final. He was appointed captain-coach of the club in 1987, and spent three years at the helm, overseeing fourth, eighth and fifth place finishes. His coaching career came to an unsavoury end when he was sacked after incurring an eight-week suspension for misdemeanours perpetrated during the course of a tempestuous Elimination Final loss to Springvale.

Author - John Devaney