Tom Grljusich Explained

Tom Grljusich
Fullname:Duje Tomy Grljusich
Nickname:Turkey Tom
Birth Date:13 August 1940
Originalteam:Cockburn Ex Scholars
Position:Key position player, ruckman
Years1:1960–64, 1968–76
Club1:South Fremantle
Games Goals1:258 (126)
Years2:1965–67
Club2:Central District
Games Goals2:49 (77)
Sooteam1:Western Australia
Sooyears1:1968
Soogames Goals1:2 (2)
Sooteam2:South Australia

Duje Tomy "Tom" Grljusich (13 August 1940 – 8 June 2024) was an Australian rules footballer who played for South Fremantle in the Western Australian National Football League and Central District in the South Australian National Football League.[1] Three of his brothers played league football – George and Don for South Fremantle and John for East Fremantle.

Playing career

Taking up playing football as an 18-year-old in 1958 for Cockburn Ex Scholars, he won the best and fairest award in his first year. After receiving offers from South Fremantle and East Fremantle, he joined South Fremantle before the 1959 season.[2] [3]

Grljusich made his league debut in round one of the 1960 season alongside his brother George. In 1965 he joined South Australian team Central District. At Central he won the club fairest and best award in 1966.[4]

He rejoined South Fremantle in 1968, playing until 1976.[2] His 258 games for South Fremantle stood as the club's games played record for 27 years until it was exceeded by Marty Atkins in 2003.[5]

Post retirement

After retiring as a player, Grljusich remained involved in football, acting as a runner for then-South Fremantle coach Mal Brown. He also worked as a real estate agent.[6]

Grljusich died on 8 June 2024, at the age of 83.[7]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Vale Tom Grljusich . 2024-06-12 . Central District Football Club . English.
  2. Web site: Every League Premiership Player in Page Finals System Era - 1931 - 2009 . West Australian Football League . 24 November 2011. 6.
  3. Web site: South Fremantle League Players 1900 - 2010 . South Fremantle Football Club . 24 November 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140202175550/http://www.southfremantlefc.com.au/assets/Uploads/Player-Records-1900-2010.pdf . 2 February 2014 . dmy-all .
  4. Web site: Norm Russell Medal (CDFC League Best and Fairest) . Central District Football Club . 24 November 2011.
  5. Web site: Marty makes it . AustralianRules.com.au . 2003 . 25 November 2011 . Everett, Les.
  6. News: Where Are They Now?: Tom ("Turkey Tom") Grljusich . FootyGoss . 4 February 2010 . 25 November 2011 . Head, Ron.
  7. Web site: Vale Tom Grljusich . 2024-06-12 . South Fremantle Football Club . en-US.