Australian Football

A series of eye catching performances during Geelong’s 1989 VFL finals campaign brought Spiro Malekellis to public attention, but in subsequent seasons he failed to build on that initial promise. He certainly boasted skill, and plenty of pace, but his impact on games tended to be sporadic.

After playing 67 games and kicking 18 goals for the Cats from 1989 to 1993 he next surfaced at Port Adelaide in 1995 where, on the positive side, he at least achieved every footballer’s main aspiration - playing in a premiership team. However, his time at Alberton also saw him frequently sidelined by injury, so that in three seasons he managed just 17 appearances and nine goals.

At his best, however, he could still be a damaging player, as was the case when, in 1995, he helped the Magpies to the aforementioned premiership triumph, courtesy of 13.16 to 6.10 grand final trouncing of Central District.

Author - John Devaney