Big Randall Gerlach will be remembered for helping the Magpies end their premiership drought

Giant Port Adelaide forward Randall Gerlach will always be remembered as one of the most memorable players in the SANFL through the 1970s.

RANDALL Gerlach’s death at the weekend - after a 40-year battle with kidney disease - brings on one of those moments when sadness also becomes awash with grand, joyful memories.

Gerlach was one of the memorable players of SA football’s grand era in the 1970s.

The Port Adelaide key forward started his league football career in 1971 and was hitting his prime as he played his 100th game in the mid-1970s. He topped the Magpies’ goalkicking list in 1976 with 90 goals and was to be part of an imposing tandem with one of SA football’s greatest goalkickers, Tim Evans.

But at just 24, after playing a key role in ending Port Adelaide’s 12-year premiership drought, Gerlach was forced to retire from league football to start his battle against kidney problems. He had three transplants, but all failed.

Gerlach reached 65 with the same strength off the field as he showed as an imposing football player on the park.

As Glenelg rival Graham Cornes said on learning of Gerlach’s death: “So sad ... a big, strong formidable opponent.”

Port Adelaide goal sneak Randall Gerlach is tackled by Glenelg defender Rex Voigt.]

Gerlach leaves so many in SA football with great memories in the week the game honours its greats with the 17th induction ceremony to the SA Football Hall of Fame at Adelaide Oval on Wednesday night. The event is coupled with the Magarey Medal count that adds to SA football’s 160-year story.

This year’s inductions will deliver three new Hall of Famers - and reinvigorate the memories from SA football’s golden era from the 1960s to the dramatic change with the advent of the AFL Crows in 1990.

As always, SA football will dust down old film and photographs and revive memories of when SANFL league football was played with no logos on the jumpers, goal umpires still work white coats and “KG” Cunningham was striking so many things pink from the radio and television commentary booth.

Gerlach is part of those great memories. His strong marks. His reliable kick. And his remarkable fight against the odds for 40 years when weaker men would have fallen.

A “humble champion,” said Port Adelaide premiership captain Tim Ginever.

Vale Randall Gerlach.

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