Remembering the lives of sports legends: SAF’s star player Geof Motley and NRL icon John Hayes
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The football and rugby communities are facing a difficult time as they mourn the loss of their legendary players.
South Australian Football’s (SAF) Geof Motley and National Rugby League’s (NRL) John 'Chow' Hayes passed away this week.
Geof Motley, 88, passed away on September 26 after a short illness, according to a statement released by Port Adelaide Football Club.
A local of the Port Adelaide area, Mr Motley debuted in 1953 and dedicated a 14-year career to the club, playing in an astonishing nine premiership games and four as captain.
And he did this all with a record of never once being reported in his 258 games. 'I have never seen one [an umpire] change his decision,’ he once said.
Just one season after his debut, he brought home the Magpies’ first of a staggering record-breaking six consecutive flags.
One of his most renowned achievements came at the 1957 Grand Final against Norwood when Mr Motley was switched from the centre into the forward line—he responded with seven goals, four of them in the last quarter.
As remembered by Fos Williams, former Magpie coach, 'He [Geof] is the first player I think of when asked to name the player who provided confidence and loyalty at Port Adelaide. He was a most reliable footballer whether at half-forward or half-back.'
When Mr Williams stepped down in 1958, Mr Motley became the team’s captain and coach i and led the Magpies to win the premiership—a feat he deemed the most important moment in his sports career.
‘It was probably the most important moment of my football life, I would suggest, because if you coach and captain and do all that sort of stuff, it adds more significance to it,’ he said back then.
Even though he stepped down as a coach two seasons later, he remained with the club and captained the team to three more premierships and was awarded the Club Champion title four times, as well as the Magarey Medal in 1964.
Though his heart was always with the Magpies, he also coached at North Adelaide and sat on the match committee for Sturt when his son Peter was playing.
Geof Motley was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2002 and the South Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2008. The Port Adelaide players’ race at Adelaide Oval is also named in his honour.
David Koch, Chairman of the club, described Mr Motley as 'one of our all-time greats'.
‘Born and raised in the Port Adelaide district, all Geof knew was the Port Adelaide Football Club. It was his world, his life. All he wanted to do was represent Port Adelaide. And he did that with great distinction,’ he said.
Port Adelaide Football Club posted their tribute on social media, stating that Mr Motley was their ‘most decorated premiership player.’
Chief Executive Officer Matthew Richardson referred to Motley as 'strong, imposing' and 'balanced, skilful and so versatile' on the field.
‘We pass on our heartfelt condolences to Geof's children Wanita, Peter and Brett and extended family,’ he stated.
Meanwhile, days before the NRL Grand Final on September 24, the community lost one of its greatest players, John 'Chow' Hayes, at the age of 84.
Mr Hayes first made a name for himself in the New South Wales Rugby League (NSWRL) competition after making his first-grade debut with the Western Suburbs Magpies in 1961.
He was known for his ruthlessness and versatility on the field, playing in positions across the forward line, including prop, hooker, and second-row. Hayes also represented New South Wales in 1961.
John Hayes was born in Marrickville, Sydney and left school at 14 years old to pursue rugby. He played 160 games for the Magpies before retiring in 1970.
Despite his retirement, Mr Hayes maintained his connection with the sport as a successful coach of the Magpies reserve grade side from 1971-1973 and the North Sydney Bears in 1983 and 1984.
His dedication to rugby league did not go unnoticed, as he was inducted as a Life Member of NSWRL, Western Suburbs and North Sydney.
In his later years, Hayes worked as Chief Inspector of the NSW Police Force.
The sadness over his passing is shared by the entire rugby league community in Australia, with President of NSWRL Bob Millward offering a statement:
'John was highly respected and regarded and was a lifetime contributor to the game he loved at all levels. Chow carved out a successful career in the code, and he will be sadly missed.'
Wests Magpies also paid tribute to their late player by posting on social media:
One social media user wrote, ‘Probably as a child, I started following the Magpies because of Chow Hayes.’
We here at SDC would also like to add our own tribute to Geof Motley and John 'Chow' Hayes. Both men carved out a major legacy and reputation within their respective sporting communities.
May they rest in peace.
South Australian Football’s (SAF) Geof Motley and National Rugby League’s (NRL) John 'Chow' Hayes passed away this week.
Geof Motley, 88, passed away on September 26 after a short illness, according to a statement released by Port Adelaide Football Club.
Geof Motley (left) and John ‘Chow’ Hayes (right) passed away this week. Credit: X(Twitter)
A local of the Port Adelaide area, Mr Motley debuted in 1953 and dedicated a 14-year career to the club, playing in an astonishing nine premiership games and four as captain.
And he did this all with a record of never once being reported in his 258 games. 'I have never seen one [an umpire] change his decision,’ he once said.
Just one season after his debut, he brought home the Magpies’ first of a staggering record-breaking six consecutive flags.
One of his most renowned achievements came at the 1957 Grand Final against Norwood when Mr Motley was switched from the centre into the forward line—he responded with seven goals, four of them in the last quarter.
Geof Motley won nine premiership games and four as captain. Credit: Tim Harcourt/Facebook
As remembered by Fos Williams, former Magpie coach, 'He [Geof] is the first player I think of when asked to name the player who provided confidence and loyalty at Port Adelaide. He was a most reliable footballer whether at half-forward or half-back.'
When Mr Williams stepped down in 1958, Mr Motley became the team’s captain and coach i and led the Magpies to win the premiership—a feat he deemed the most important moment in his sports career.
‘It was probably the most important moment of my football life, I would suggest, because if you coach and captain and do all that sort of stuff, it adds more significance to it,’ he said back then.
Even though he stepped down as a coach two seasons later, he remained with the club and captained the team to three more premierships and was awarded the Club Champion title four times, as well as the Magarey Medal in 1964.
Though his heart was always with the Magpies, he also coached at North Adelaide and sat on the match committee for Sturt when his son Peter was playing.
Geof Motley was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2002 and the South Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2008. The Port Adelaide players’ race at Adelaide Oval is also named in his honour.
David Koch, Chairman of the club, described Mr Motley as 'one of our all-time greats'.
‘Born and raised in the Port Adelaide district, all Geof knew was the Port Adelaide Football Club. It was his world, his life. All he wanted to do was represent Port Adelaide. And he did that with great distinction,’ he said.
Port Adelaide Football Club posted their tribute on social media, stating that Mr Motley was their ‘most decorated premiership player.’
Port Adelaide Football Club shared their tribute on social media. Credit: Port Adelaide Football Club/Facebook
Chief Executive Officer Matthew Richardson referred to Motley as 'strong, imposing' and 'balanced, skilful and so versatile' on the field.
‘We pass on our heartfelt condolences to Geof's children Wanita, Peter and Brett and extended family,’ he stated.
Meanwhile, days before the NRL Grand Final on September 24, the community lost one of its greatest players, John 'Chow' Hayes, at the age of 84.
Mr Hayes first made a name for himself in the New South Wales Rugby League (NSWRL) competition after making his first-grade debut with the Western Suburbs Magpies in 1961.
He was known for his ruthlessness and versatility on the field, playing in positions across the forward line, including prop, hooker, and second-row. Hayes also represented New South Wales in 1961.
John Hayes was born in Marrickville, Sydney and left school at 14 years old to pursue rugby. He played 160 games for the Magpies before retiring in 1970.
Despite his retirement, Mr Hayes maintained his connection with the sport as a successful coach of the Magpies reserve grade side from 1971-1973 and the North Sydney Bears in 1983 and 1984.
John 'Chow' Hayes played 160 games for the Magpies before retiring in 1970. Credit: @_SpiritGotLost/X (Twitter)
His dedication to rugby league did not go unnoticed, as he was inducted as a Life Member of NSWRL, Western Suburbs and North Sydney.
In his later years, Hayes worked as Chief Inspector of the NSW Police Force.
The sadness over his passing is shared by the entire rugby league community in Australia, with President of NSWRL Bob Millward offering a statement:
'John was highly respected and regarded and was a lifetime contributor to the game he loved at all levels. Chow carved out a successful career in the code, and he will be sadly missed.'
Wests Magpies also paid tribute to their late player by posting on social media:
One social media user wrote, ‘Probably as a child, I started following the Magpies because of Chow Hayes.’
We here at SDC would also like to add our own tribute to Geof Motley and John 'Chow' Hayes. Both men carved out a major legacy and reputation within their respective sporting communities.
May they rest in peace.
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