Geelong team of the century wingman Michael Turner has died three weeks after his 70th birthday and just days after he was made an AFL life member.
The long-time Geelong Falcons manager and junior football mentor passed away on Monday in Lorne Community Hospital after a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer. He was diagnosed with the disease in February last year and initially given six months to live.
Turner played 245 games for the Cats between 1974 and 1988, was named an All-Australian in 1979 and captained the club from 1984 to 1986.
The Cats released a statement on Tuesday saying Turner was a leader and extraordinary player who was highly skilled and possessed lightning speed. He was named the best player in his first game for the club against St Kilda in round four, 1974.
“Born in Geelong and having grown up in Warrnambool, it was always a dream to be a part of the blue and white during his playing career and whilst his on-field performance was profound, Mick had a greater influence off it and will be remembered for impacting the lives of many in the greater Geelong community,” the Geelong statement said.
The AFL confirmed life membership for Turner in the days before Christmas, following a special resolution from the AFL Commission in December.
“The AFL received submissions from a number of club and senior football figures asking that he be recognised for his contribution to the game, and he was made aware of the honour before he passed,” AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon said on Tuesday.
A statement released by the Geelong Falcons said 134 players had been drafted from the under-18 side during Turner’s 25 years in charge, including Gary Ablett Jr, Luke Hodge, Cameron Ling, Patrick Dangerfield, Jonathan Brown and Charlie Curnow.
Of that group, eight captained their club and 21 have gone on to become premiership players.
“The Geelong Falcons program is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of the legendary Mick Turner,” the Falcons statement read.
“Put simply, the Geelong Falcons aren’t the program it is today without Mick.
“In his 25 years as talent manager, he guided so many careers on and off the field and has had a monumental impact on football in the southwest of Victoria over many decades.
Turner was a gifted childhood athlete but never a “footy head”.
“The only reason I went to football is I was good at it,” he told Hanlon.
He took time to mature, with the Cats sending him home after the 1973 pre-season to bulk up his 64kg frame.
He recalled his dad taking a phone call from Bob Davis early in his time in Geelong and saying: “We’re having trouble with Michael, his attitude’s shit house.”
The subsequent father-son chat about the choice he faced – of being a big fish in a small pond, or working hard to be a big fish in football’s biggest pond.
“So we knuckled down,” he said.
During his illustrious career he kicked 285 goals for the club, leading Geelong’s goal kicking in 1982 with 40 goals, and he booted goal of the year in 1980 against Richmond.
Turner is survived by wife Karen and sons Levi and Che, their partners Brooke and Grace, and his beloved grandchildren Frankie, Ziggy, Raff, and Arlo.
Mick and Karen were together almost 42 years, having met at a Geelong Amateurs nightclub when he pointed to the bohemian across the room with blonde hair down to her backside and said, “That’s the sort of girl I’d like to marry.”
Turner served as captain-coach of Werribee in the Victorian Football Association before being appointed as regional manager of the Geelong Falcons in 1995.
He was also hugely influential at the Barwon Heads Football & Netball Club serving many roles including vice president, committeeman, chairman of selectors, recruiter, and many others.
In later years, Turner moved to Lorne where his son Che played in the 2016 premiership.
With others, he was instrumental in landing Ed Curnow as playing-coach this season, fresh from Carlton’s midfield, and mentored him in the background.
AFL Chief Executive Andrew Dillon said Turner had contributed enormously to the ongoing strength of the game with his guiding hand for the talented juniors from the Geelong region.
“The AFL offers its sincere condolences to Michael’s family, particularly his wife Karen and sons Levi and Che and their families, as well as Mick’s many friends across football, the Geelong Football club, and fans of the game,” Dillon said.
“Mick Turner was a brilliant wingman in an era of fantastic players who starred across the middle of the ground and Cats’ fans remember him for his pace and ability to kick a big team-lifting goal.
“Post his playing career, he gave so much more to the game as a mentor and confidant to generations of talented young players and many of our greats who have come out of the Falcons’ program all cite him as a pivotal influence on their success,” Dillon said.
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