Graeme Lee (Australian footballer)

Graeme Lee
Personal information
Full name Graeme Justin Lee
Date of birth (1939-07-12)12 July 1939
Place of birth Tasmania
Date of death 14 April 2021(2021-04-14) (aged 81)
Height 178 cm (5 ft 10 in)
Weight 76 kg (168 lb)
Position(s) Wingman
Playing career
Years Club Games (Goals)
1956–59 Wynyard 43
1961–62 St Kilda 18 (7)
1963–67 Launceston 90
1968–75 East Devonport 127
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Graeme "Gypsy" Lee (12 July 1939 – 14 April 2021[1]) was an Australian rules footballer who played with St Kilda in the VFL during the early 1960s. He also had a noted career in Tasmania and is a half-forward flanker in Launceston's official "Team of the Century".

Early life and career

Lee was born on the North West coast of Tasmania and started his career at Wynyard in 1956 as a wingman. Four years later he moved to the mainland when recruited by St Kilda.[2] His three-year stint at St Kilda saw him manage just 18 senior appearances, with injury preventing him from taking a regular spot in the team.

Return to Tasmania and State selection

When he returned to Tasmania in 1963 he joined Northern Tasmanian Football Association club Launceston and served as captain-coach. His fourth and final destination was East Devonport, where he remained a captain-coach and steered them to a rare premiership in 1968.

Amongst his 11 interstate appearances for Tasmania, Lee captained his state at the 1966 Hobart Carnival, where he finished equal third in the Tassie Medal and earned selection to the All-Australian team.[3]

Lee was inducted into the Tasmanian Football Hall of Fame in 2005.[4]

References

  1. ^ Clooney, Emily (14 April 2021). "'No greater Swan': Tributes flow for icon Gypsy Lee". The Advocate. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
  2. ^ http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/118973 VFL Football Record, 16 April 1960 page 28
  3. ^ "Award to WA rover". The Age. 20 June 1966. p. 18.
  4. ^ "78. Graeme Lee". AFL Tasmania Hall of Fame. Retrieved 5 May 2021.