Graham Gotch (1956 - 1960)

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http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/5716/grahamgotch.jpg

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Vale Graham Gotch (http://www.lions.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/5085/newsid/124742/default.aspx)
9:21 AM Fri 07 Oct, 2011

The Brisbane Lions AFC is deeply saddened by the passing of former Fitzroy player Graham Gotch who passed away peacefully on Wednesday aged 75.

After coming through Fitzroy’s thirds, Graham went on to play 52 games and kick 39 goals with the Club between 1956-60. He played in a variety of different roles including half-back flank, centre half-back, centre and even occasionally at full-forward.

He is also the father Brad Gotch who played 43 games for Fitzroy in the early 1980s.

Career statistics (http://stats.rleague.com/afl/stats/players/G/Graham_Gotch.html)

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Games played:

Number 4 (http://www.lions.com.au/News/NewsArticle/tabid/5085/newsid/111190/default.aspx)

Craig McRAE (Bears/Lions) - 195
Ross THORNTON (Fitzroy) - 131
John GASTEV (Bears) - 94
Jack GERVASONI (Fitzroy) - 89
Horrie JENKIN (Fitzroy) - 89
Stephen PAXMAN (Fitzroy) - 86
Denis RYAN (Fitzroy) - 70
Geoff RAINES (Bears) - 59
Doug SEARL (Fitzroy) - 59
Travis JOHNSTONE (Lions) - 49
Graham GOTCH (Fitzroy) - 39
Barry McKENZIE (Fitzroy) - 38
Lindsay DYRING (Fitzroy) - 28
Tom HEANEY (Fitzroy) - 28
Ben FIXTER (Lions) - 27
Mick HUGHSON (Fitzroy) - 20
Jim MARTIN (Fitzroy) - 18
Norm W. SMITH (Fitzroy) - 17
Norm COCKRAM (Fitzroy) - 15
Greg PARKE (Fitzroy) - 15
Ian POWELL (Fitzroy) - 15
Ken VEEVERS (Fitzroy) - 15
Terry O'MARA (Fitzroy) - 15
George L. CHAPMAN (Fitzroy) - 13
Norm STOTT (Fitzroy) - 12
Jim W. BROWN (Fitzroy) - 9
Reg CARR (Fitzroy) - 9
Kevin FOX (Fitzroy) - 6
George WATSON (Fitzroy) - 4
Dennis HALL (Fitzroy) - 4
Norm BARKER (Fitzroy) - 3
Dave CRONE (Fitzroy) - 3
Jim STEIGENBERGER (Fitzroy) - 3
Arthur WILLIAMS (Fitzroy) - 3
Tom LOGAN (Lions) - 3
Jared POLEC (Lions) - 3*
Graham BUX (Fitzroy) - 2
Harry COLLINS (Fitzroy) - 2
Kevin W. PARKER (Fitzroy) - 2
Craig EVANS (Bears) - 2
Jim PORTER (Fitzroy) - 2
Roger DELANEY (Fitzroy) - 1
Frank O'KEEFE (Fitzroy) - 1

Number 35 (http://www.lions.com.au/tabid/5085/default.aspx?newsid=109987)

Michael RISCHITELLI (Lions) - 111
Stan WRIGHT (Fitzroy) - 77
Jack MILLEN (Fitzroy) - 60
Craig McGRATH (Fitzroy) - 58
Noel MUGAVIN (Fitzroy) - 41
Brett COOK (Fitzroy) - 25
Mark ATHORN (Fitzroy) - 21
Norm BROWN (Fitzroy) - 21
Chris SMITH (Fitzroy) - 21
Jason AKERMANIS (Bears) - 17
Ken JUDGE (Bears) - 17
Bob HODGKIN (Fitzroy) - 17
Doug NICHOLLS (Fitzroy) - 14
Fred HEINTZ (Fitzroy) - 14
Graham GOTCH (Fitzroy) - 13
Nick TRASK (Bears/Lions) - 12
Peter WORSFOLD (Bears) - 10
Gavin KEANE (Bears) - 7
Jeff PATTERSON (Fitzroy) - 7
Kevin MITCHELL (Fitzroy) - 6
Shane MORRISON (Lions) - 5
Ron G. SMITH (Lions) - 5
Roy McDOUGALL (Fitzroy) - 3
Colin DAVEY (Fitzroy) - 3
Ryan LESTER (Lions) - 3*
Len BLACKLEY (Fitzroy) - 2
Reg CARR (Fitzroy) - 2
Reg MILBURN (Fitzroy) - 2
Bill J. SMITH (Fitzroy) - 2
Keith WEBB (Fitzroy) - 2
Andrew MERRYWEATHER (Fitzroy) - 1
Neil O'REILLY (Fitzroy) - 1
Doug PARKS (Fitzroy) - 1

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May 30, 1958 (http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1300&dat=19580530&id=3gdQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=mJUDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4329,4474066)

Graham Gotch, who delighted officials with dashing play when he came on as reserve last week, has taken over Broockman's place at centre half-back.

May 16, 1960 (http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1300&dat=19600516&id=ScZVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=xsUDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3412,2622083)

A kick off the ground for a goal from 30 yeards out in the time-on period made the game safe for Fitzroy on Saturday against a battling Richmond.

The goal, kicked by Graham Gotch as he slithered towards an open goal with Dave Cuzens in hot pursuit, gave Fitzroy an 11-point lead in between a series of determined Tiger attacks.

June 6, 1960 (http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1300&dat=19600606&id=hZ8UAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TasDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4525,1053516)

Lack of a capable full-forward was Fitzroy's greatest weakness. Graham Gotch and Kevin Wright both failed to fill the role against full-back Verdun Howell. Gotch was more use to the team when placed in the centre to counter Lance Oswald who played a fine game.

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Obituary (http://www.fitzroybrisbanelionspastplayers.org.au/obituaries.htm)

Graham played from 1956 to 1960 starting as a 19 year old.As was the thing back in his day, Clubs got their Senior players from the thirds and seconds teams.Most of the Players Graham played with in the Seniors, came up from the thirds at the same time as Graham.He would play on Saturday with the thirds, and on Sunday played with Millers Rope Football Club under the Legendary Coach Len Smith, who was Graham's Coach in the Thirds.

Graham's record at Fitzroy was great. He kicked goals in every game he played,with Carlton suffering the most.Graham found the old Brunswick Street Ground his most rewarding, kicking 22 of his 39 goals there. At 178 cm and 79 kg he was not big compared with today's forwards, but he more than held his own. His record at the Club speaks for its self. 726th Fitzroy Player, 134th Most Goals Kicked, 242nd Most Games Played. A record he, and his Family can be proud of.