Below are some reflections from Rick Daniels on the passing of Brett Graham
On behalf of all the Lakies Legends we are saddened by the loss of a unique character and player who defined what is great about footy clubs.
Roll yourself a smoke and grab a Crownie now that the pain has gone'.
"Brett Graham wore the #49 jumper with pride when he played for the mighty Reservoir-Lakeside Football Club"
I received a call from Megs Clark advising me that our old team mate Brett "Grace" Graham had been admitted to the Olivia Newton-John wellness centre on the Austin Hospital site in Heidelberg.
I have known Brett for as long as I can remember, as our mothers were friends from the early pioneering days when Broadhurst Avenue and Barry Street Reservoir were in their infancy.
The man has a plethora of nicknames including "Grace, Cus Cus and Tucky". Brett commenced his stellar footy career at North Reservoir on the top ground at Moore Park before joining the Mighty Red & White in 1979 playing in the U/18's. He loved the Reservoir Lakeside Football in equal proportion that he loves the Cameron Cricket Club, his two homes. We talked about footy, cricket, family and blokes from Reservoir, all good times and even better stories. "Graces" favourite and true story relates to season 1983 when the mighty Lakies were playing Heidelberg West at Cotchin Reserve and #49 started the game on bench in "B" Grade side. Not happy to warming the pine and even less so because in the 80's there were no such things as rotations.
The only rotation at Lakies was to who was next to shout!!
At half time, "B" Grade coach John Walsh needed to roll the dice and looked straight at "Grace" and said "Brett, go to full forward and give these blokes a target". The scene was set and the second half of the game had everyone at Cotchin Reserve gobsmacked with disbelief. "Tucky" certainly turned it on that early afternoon by kicking a lazy 6 goals in the third term and a cool and calculated 4 goals in the final term to finish the afternoon with 10 majors. To finish the game on a high, "Grace" also headbutted his Heidelberg West opponent, "Fluffy" and split the poor bastards head right up the middle.
The excitement when Brett kicked goal 10 for the day shall remain with me forever. It is this type of moment that builds character, mateship and legend that will outlive us all.
I knew when I left the Olivia Newton John wellness centre this morning that I would never see his dial again.
He was sincere in thanking me for coming to see him to which I replied, "no mate, thanks for giving me the opportunity to come and see you" and I extended my thoughts for his daughter Chloe, thanked him for a lifetime of laughs however, refused to say "goodbye" preferring the expression "til we meet again Grace". I am extremely pleased that I went out to see him as he has provided me with enormous humour and laughter over the years.
During my visit, we were telling stories and laughing when a nurse arrived to see how things were going in Ward 8 South Bed 24. Although the dreaded "C" disease had taken hold of his body, it certainly hadnt got his mind or wicked sense of humour yet. The nurse enquired if he needed anything? Quick as a flash he shot back "drugs, can you get me some drugs and I aint talking about the stuff you put in the I.V". He laughed, I laughed and nurse half laughed and told him to behave himself. He then told me that he has a little stash in the side table however needs some papers.
And "Flip Top" he said "I aint talking about the Herald Sun or The Age". I said to him "you haven't been smoking joints in the Olivia Newton John wellness centre for cancer surely?".
"Absolutely" he said.
I told him that I didn't have any papers however I believed that Megs was coming in to see him. That would be good said "Grace" before finishing with "perhaps Megs will bring me in some papers tomorrow". I promised him that I would let Megs know.
And "Rabbi" he said, "tell Megs also that I aint talking about the f#%king Herald Sun either"
So here we are almost 32 years later and at 53 years young, "Cus Cus" has departed for what is hopefully a better place. Brett loved his daughter Chloe, absolutely and unconditionally, looked after his mum Nell until she passed last year and is a clone of his father "Shirts".
Well played #49
Last Modified on 03/02/2015 13:31