Ken Grimley
Encyclopedia
Ken Grimley is a former Australian rules football
er who played with Fitzroy
in the Victorian Football League
(VFL).
Grimley was a rugby league full-back while growing up in Brisbane and only took up Australian football after leaving school. He started out in the Wilston Grange
junior team but soon broke into the seniors and in 1955 played in the club's first ever QANFL
premiership. The following year he was the league's top goal-kicker with over 100 goals.
He spent just one season at Fitzroy, having been invited to the club by officials he met during an exhibition game in Brisbane. In just his second appearance, but first full game, Grimley kicked six goals from full-forward against Geelong at Kardinia Park.
After he returned to Wilston Grange in 1958 he is credited as having convinced the club to adopt a Gorilla as their logo, which Fitzroy had changed from the previous year. Grimley, who also played as a ruckman, switched to Coorparoo in 1959 and played grand finals in his first six seasons at the club. He was the runner-up in the 1961 Grogan Medal
but won it in 1964. The early 1960s also saw him play many of his 22 interstate appearances for Queensland and the state was undefeated under his captaincy in 1963 and 1964.
A son, Brett Grimley
, also played with Fitzroy, to create the first instance of a Queensland father and son combination playing in the VFL.
In 2003, Grimley was named as the ruckman in the official "Queensland Team of the Century", next to rovers Michael Voss
and Jason Akermanis
.
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 who played with Fitzroy
Fitzroy Football Club
The Fitzroy Football Club, formerly nicknamed The Lions, is an Australian rules football club formed in 1883 to represent the inner Melbourne suburb of Fitzroy, Victoria and was a foundation member club of the Victorian Football League on its inception in 1897...
in 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).
Grimley was a rugby league full-back while growing up in Brisbane and only took up Australian football after leaving school. He started out in the Wilston Grange
Wilston Grange Football Club
Wilston Grange Football Club is an Australian rules football club which competes in the Queensland Australian Football League.-History:Wilston Grange was formed in 1943, entered the QANFL in 1950. Their colours are royal blue, red and white. The Gorillas, as they are known, made five Grand Finals...
junior team but soon broke into the seniors and in 1955 played in the club's first ever QANFL
Queensland Australian Football League
The Queensland Australian Football League was an Australian rules football competition for clubs from South East Queensland.Up until 2010, the QAFL was the premier semi-professional competition in Queensland, with salary cap rules and regulations in place.It was previously known as the Queensland...
premiership. The following year he was the league's top goal-kicker with over 100 goals.
He spent just one season at Fitzroy, having been invited to the club by officials he met during an exhibition game in Brisbane. In just his second appearance, but first full game, Grimley kicked six goals from full-forward against Geelong at Kardinia Park.
After he returned to Wilston Grange in 1958 he is credited as having convinced the club to adopt a Gorilla as their logo, which Fitzroy had changed from the previous year. Grimley, who also played as a ruckman, switched to Coorparoo in 1959 and played grand finals in his first six seasons at the club. He was the runner-up in the 1961 Grogan Medal
Grogan Medal
The Grogan Medal is an Australian rules football award given to the best and fairest player in home and away rounds of each season's QAFL/Queensland State League competition. It was first awarded in 1946, previously the league's best player won the De Little Medal.-Winners:-External links:*...
but won it in 1964. The early 1960s also saw him play many of his 22 interstate appearances for Queensland and the state was undefeated under his captaincy in 1963 and 1964.
A son, Brett Grimley
Brett Grimley
Brett Grimley is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Fitzroy in the Victorian Football League during the 1980s....
, also played with Fitzroy, to create the first instance of a Queensland father and son combination playing in the VFL.
In 2003, Grimley was named as the ruckman in the official "Queensland Team of the Century", next to rovers Michael Voss
Michael Voss
Michael Voss is the senior coach of the Brisbane Lions Australian Football League team and a former professional Australian rules footballer....
and Jason Akermanis
Jason Akermanis
Jason Dean Akermanis is an Australian rules football player. He is a Brownlow Medallist and triple premiership player who played for the Brisbane Bears, Brisbane Lions and Western Bulldogs...
.