Geoff Christian

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Geoff Christian (died November 1998) was a leading Australian rules football writer and radio broadcaster covering the Australian Football League and West Australian Football League.

Geoff Christian commenced as a junior football writer for the "West Australian" newspaper as a teenager in 1954. In 1961 he became Chief Football writer for the paper; a position he held for more than a quarter of a century. In the late eighties, he retired and concentrated on radio work.

As a result of his knowledge and integrity he was regarded as a doyen of sporting journalists and was held in the highest regard.

High ranking football administrators also often consulted him, as his wise counsel was greatly valued. His death in 1998 following a long illness prematurely robbed the sport of a great contributor.

[edit] Christian Medal

Each year the Christian Medal is awarded to the best WA player in the AFL as adjudged by ABC broadcasters.

A member of ABC Radio’s Saturday Sportstalk program for a period of 14 years prior to his death in November 1998

To honour Chrisitan’s contribution to ABC Sport, management struck a medal in his honour. Each year, the Christian Medal is awarded to the leading AFL player from either West Coast or Fremantle. The votes are cast on a 3-2-1 basis by ABC Radio expert commentators at the conclusion of each game in which the teams compete throughout the home and away season. Previous Winners

1999 Adrian Fletcher (Fremantle)
2000 Paul Hasleby (Fremantle), Troy Cook (Fremantle)
2001 Ben Cousins (WCE)
2002 Matthew Pavlich (Fremantle)
2003 Peter Bell (Fremantle)
2004 Paul Hasleby (Fremantle)
2005 Matthew Pavlich (Fremantle)
2006 Chris Judd (WCE)

[edit] Other

Geoff Christian , who served as the chief football writer for The West Australian from 1961 to 1988, was posthumously inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2000.