Graham Scott came to St Kilda from Western Australia as a well credentialled key forward.
Graham, who passed away on April 30 at the age of 77, had represented the WA state team seven times and was club leading goalkicker twice in his six seasons for South Fremantle. In 1971 he booted 97 goals for a South Fremantle team which had only won nine games and finished sixth. Despite a somewhat awkward kicking style he was generally effective in front of goal.
Born in Pinjarra, a country community 80 kilometres from Perth, he excelled in both football and cricket at Guildford Grammar and later earned selection in the state cricket squad alongside Dennis Lillee and Rod Marsh
In 1970 he booted four goals in South Fremantle’s WAFL premiership side captain-coached by former Melbourne great Hassa Mann.
Graham had been linked to St Kilda in 1970 when champion Saint Daryl Griffiths was seeking a move to WA, but a deal with South Fremantle did not eventuate when Griffiths signed with Claremont instead. In his first state game for WA in 1967 Scott had performed well against Griffiths who was playing for Victoria.
At just on 185 cms, or six foot tall in the old language, Graham Scott was lacking the extra height required for a full-forward at VFL level. He lined up in the key forward post in his St Kilda debut and after starting slowly he booted three goals through combining with Saint stars Cowboy Neale, Ross Smith and John McIntosh.
Graham lost his senior place after that debut due to a stomach injury, but from mid-season played in 11 or the last 13 home and away games, mainly as a half-forward flanker. Opportunities were more limited in 1973 with just six more senior appearances.
After 18 games and 15 goals with the Saints he was part of the swap that saw Paul Callery come from the Demons to St Kilda. Carl Ditterich, who had taken over as Melbourne’s coach was instrumental in convincing him to cross over, but in his sole season at his second club Scott managed just eight games and four goals including some as a half-back flanker in a stint limited by hamstring problems. He captain-coached Ferntree Gully for two years in the Eastern District League before returning home to Perth.
Vale, Saint Graham.
