Graham Moss
Encyclopedia
Graham Moss is a former Australian rules football
er and coach, who was highly successful in both the West Australian Football League
(WAFL) and the Victorian Football League
(VFL). He was a Brownlow Medal
-winning ruckman
and played 343 senior games in the WAFL and VFL.
Moss debuted for Claremont Football Club
in the WAFL in 1969. In 1970, he made his debut for the Western Australian state team
.
Essendon
attempted to lure him to Melbourne
several times, and finally succeeded before the 1973 season. Moss played 89 games for Essendon, winning the club best and fairest
three times, in 1974–76. He also represented Victoria
15 times. In 1976, he captained Essendon and won the Brownlow, but also suffered a serious knee injury. Moss has the highest average of Brownlow Medal votes (0.95 per game) of any player ever polled for the award.
He was appointed captain-coach by Claremont in 1977, and commented that his return from Essendon to Claremont was made easy by the fact the VFL and WAFL were of a similar standard at the time. That same year he won the Simpson Medal
, while playing for Western Australia in the first ever State of Origin game, against Victoria. Moss led Claremont to a premiership, their first in 17 years, in 1981. He ceased playing in 1984 and retired as coach in 1986.
The Graham Moss Medal
has been awarded to the best on ground in WAFL State of Origin matches from 1995.
In 1996, Moss was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame
. In 2004, he was inducted into the West Australian Football Hall of Fame
and elevated to the status of "Legend" in 2006.
Moss's professional career includes inaugural chief executive officer of the West Australian Sports Centre Trust from 1986 to 2008. The Trust, now VenuesWest, owns and manages major sport, entertainment and recreation venues on behalf of the Government of Western Australia. He was also the CEO of Tourism WA between 2008 to 2011, and is now a project management consultant for Auzcorp Pty Ltd who are a property developer and services provider to the Pilbara Region of WA. Moss still lives in Perth, Western Australia.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er and coach, who was highly successful in both the West Australian Football League
West Australian Football League
The West Australian Football League is an Australian rules football league based in Perth, Western Australia. The WAFL is the second-most popular in the state, behind the nation-wide Australian Football League...
(WAFL) and the Victorian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
(VFL). He was a Brownlow Medal
Brownlow Medal
The Chas Brownlow Trophy, better known as the Brownlow Medal , is awarded to the "fairest and best" player in the Australian Football League during the regular season as determined by votes cast by the officiating field umpires after each game...
-winning ruckman
Ruckman (Australian rules football position)
In Australian rules football, a ruckman is typically a tall and athletic player who contests at centre bounces and stoppages . The ruckman is one of the most important players on the field...
and played 343 senior games in the WAFL and VFL.
Moss debuted for Claremont Football Club
Claremont Football Club
The Claremont Football Club, nicknamed the Tigers, is an Australian rules football club in the West Australian Football League . Its official colours are navy blue and gold....
in the WAFL in 1969. In 1970, he made his debut for the Western Australian state team
Interstate matches in Australian rules football
Australian rules football matches between teams representing Australian colonies/states and territories have been held since 1879. For most of the 20th century, the absence of a national club competition and international matches meant that football games between state representative teams were...
.
Essendon
Essendon Football Club
The Essendon Football Club, nicknamed The Bombers, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
attempted to lure him to Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
several times, and finally succeeded before the 1973 season. Moss played 89 games for Essendon, winning the club best and fairest
W. S. Crichton Medal
The W.S. Crichton Medal is the name given to Best and Fairest award for Australian rules football team the Essendon Football Club. The naming of the award is to honour Walter S...
three times, in 1974–76. He also represented Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
15 times. In 1976, he captained Essendon and won the Brownlow, but also suffered a serious knee injury. Moss has the highest average of Brownlow Medal votes (0.95 per game) of any player ever polled for the award.
He was appointed captain-coach by Claremont in 1977, and commented that his return from Essendon to Claremont was made easy by the fact the VFL and WAFL were of a similar standard at the time. That same year he won the Simpson Medal
Simpson Medal
The Simpson Medal, a prize for Australian rules football, has been donated by Dr. Fred Simpson and family since 1945. It is awarded to the best player in a WAFL Grand Final and the best player in an interstate game involving Western Australia....
, while playing for Western Australia in the first ever State of Origin game, against Victoria. Moss led Claremont to a premiership, their first in 17 years, in 1981. He ceased playing in 1984 and retired as coach in 1986.
The Graham Moss Medal
Graham Moss Medal
The Graham Moss Medal was awarded to the best player on the ground for Western Australia in State Of Origin matches. It was only awarded from 1995 to 1998 and is named after Graham Moss.-Winners:*1995 - Tony Evans*1996 - Derek Kickett*1997 - Scott Cummings...
has been awarded to the best on ground in WAFL State of Origin matches from 1995.
In 1996, Moss was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame
Australian Football Hall of Fame
The Australian Football Hall of Fame was established in 1996, the Centenary year of the Australian Football League, to help recognise the contributions made to the sport of Australian rules football by players, umpires, media personalities, coaches and administrators. It was initially established...
. In 2004, he was inducted into the West Australian Football Hall of Fame
West Australian Football Hall of Fame
The West Australian Football Hall of Fame was created in 2002 to recognise and enshrine those who have made a significant contribution to Australian rules football in Western Australia...
and elevated to the status of "Legend" in 2006.
Moss's professional career includes inaugural chief executive officer of the West Australian Sports Centre Trust from 1986 to 2008. The Trust, now VenuesWest, owns and manages major sport, entertainment and recreation venues on behalf of the Government of Western Australia. He was also the CEO of Tourism WA between 2008 to 2011, and is now a project management consultant for Auzcorp Pty Ltd who are a property developer and services provider to the Pilbara Region of WA. Moss still lives in Perth, Western Australia.