Tom Grljusich

Tom Grljusich
Personal information
Full nameDuje Tomy Grljusich
Nickname(s)Turkey Tom
Date of birth13 August 1940
Original teamCockburn Ex Scholars
Playing career
YearsClubGames (Goals)
196064, 196876
196567
South Fremantle
Central District
258 (126)
Representative team honours
YearsTeamGames (Goals)
Western Australia
South Australia

Duje Tomy "Tom" Grljusich (born 13 August 1940) is a former 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. 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.[1][2]

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.[3]

He rejoined South Fremantle in 1968, playing until 1976.[1][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.[4]

Post retirement

After retiring as a player, "Turkey Tom" Grljusich remained involved in football, acting as a runner for then-South Fremantle coach Mal Brown. He has also worked as a real estate agent.[5]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 "Every League Premiership Player in Page Finals System Era - 1931 - 2009". West Australian Football League. p. 6. Retrieved 24 November 2011.
  2. 2.0 2.1 "South Fremantle League Players 1900 - 2010". South Fremantle Football Club. Retrieved 24 November 2011.
  3. "Norm Russell Medal (CDFC League Best and Fairest)". Central District Football Club. Retrieved 24 November 2011.
  4. Everett, Les (2003). "Marty makes it". AustralianRules.com.au. Retrieved 25 November 2011.
  5. Head, Ron (4 February 2010). "Where Are They Now?: Tom ("Turkey Tom") Grljusich". FootyGoss. Retrieved 25 November 2011.

External links