The late Geelong great Michael ‘Mick’ Turner farewelled at funeral after tragic passing from pancreatic cancer

Revered football figure Mick Turner has been remembered by plenty of big names he touched at an emotional funeral service, where his five decades in footy and ‘nightmare’ cancer battle were detailed.

Michael Turner's wife Karen and sons Che and Levi at the memorial service. Picture: Alison Wynd

The late Geelong great and talent pathway doyen Michael ‘Mick’ Turner was remembered as a complex yet simple person – extremely organised, a straight shooter and a loving family man – at an emotional funeral service on Friday.

In a mark of his impact, hundreds of people that he had touched — including countless football figures — in Lorne to commemorate a life lost too soon.

Turner tragically died after at the age of 70 last month following a painful two-year battle with pancreatic cancer.

His loving wife Karen described the last two weeks of his life as an “absolute nightmare”.

Brian Taylor after at the memorial for Michael Turner. Picture: Alison Wynd

“Michael never feared death, it was quality of life that was most important to him. In the end, there was no quality of life. I just hope he is at peace now,” Karen said.

“Michael, you are always in my mind and forever in my heart. You have always been the love of my life and I it was privilege to be your wife.”

True to form, it was the extremely thorough Turner who organised his own funeral along with his close mate, AFL commentator and Coleman medallist Brian Taylor.

“What we are seeing on the screens (at the funeral), no one has seen. I think you would have to say he is a bit of a control freak, in more ways than one,” Karen remarked to a crowd of laughter.

Turner’s quirks through his obsessive compulsive disorder were referenced fondly throughout the service.

That included supersticiously rubbing good friend Ricky Barham’s Collingwood sock for good luck before each game. Before one practice game out at Winchelsea, Turner had forgotten his Barham socks and sent Karen back to Geelong to get them.

The sight of ‘Micky T’ bounding down the wing with electric speed across his 245 games for Geelong will stick long in the memory of the Geelong faithful, and attendees got the chance to re-live his many highlights – including his 1980 goal of the year.

The skilful and dynamic wingman, who looked up to Sam Newman and David Clarke — was an All-Australian in 1979, captained the club from 1984-86 and was Geelong’s leading goalkicker in 1982.

Not bad for a player who came to the club weighing just 60 kilograms.

Sam Newman leaves at the memorial for Michael Turner. Picture: Alison Wynd

Turner’s son Levi remarked that his father could write a book

While a brilliant player in his own right, named in the Geelong Team of the Century on the opposite wing to his father Leo, Turner is best remembered in footy for his incredible contribution to the Geelong Falcons in his 25 years as talent manager.

Turner will be given AFL life membership later this year for his enormous contribution to the game.

Former Geelong vice-president and Cats historian Bob Gartland, who recounted his football career at time at the Falcons, revealed some incredible figures that showed his impact at the Falcons.

In what Taylor famously dubbed the ‘Geelong Falcons Factory’, 133 Falcons were drafted into the AFL and 103 of them played senior footy, averaging 108 senior games – more than double the AFL average of 51.

Of those 103 – featuring Brownlow and Norm Smith medallists – 21 played in at least one premiership played in at least one premiership.

Those he helped nurture were among those in attendances, including Hawthorn and Brisbane champion Luke Hodge, triple premiership Cat Cameron Ling and current Geelong forward Gryan Miers.

From 1995 onwards Turner was a Falcons fan rather than a Cats supporter, ticking off how many Falcons were playing each week and watching Falcons graduates at every opportunity.

Two that Turner watched fondly were Ling and Western Bulldogs premiership player Luke Dahlhaus.

And a wardrobe choice may have helped Ling reach the AFL ranks.

Bluey McGrath, Andrew Bews and Cameron Ling outside the memorial for Michael Turner. Picture: Alison Wynd

Luke Hodge after the memorial. Picture: Alison Wynd

“What Mick was most proud of was the players who only just made it and then blossomed into the players he knew they could become. One was Cameron Ling,” Turner’s son Levi recalled.

“During the 1999 TAC Cup season, Mick instructed the property stewards’ wife to take up Ling’s shorts.

‘Make them shorter. It will make his legs look longer and he will look more athletic’.

“Mick also made sure Lingy had his socks pulled up, and his hair cut short back and sides. At the time the AFL wanted athletes, Ling was a full forward and not the midfielder he became.”

“Another was Luke Dahlhaus, Mick pushed so hard for a number of clubs to take him and went on to be a premiership player.”

Miers was another Falcon picked up later in the draft, and he said some tough feedback – another trademark of Turner – helped him reach his potential.

Gryan Miers after at the memorial Picture: Alison Wynd

“I was shattered to hear. I saw Mick recently in WA and he was in great spirits, he felt like he had just beaten it,” Miers told reporters on Wednesday.

“But at least he got that extra time with his family and he seemed very happy to spend that extra time with his family.

“I absolutely loved Mick, he has given me some absolute crazy sprays over the time, but he got me ready for AFL, and I’m very grateful for what Mick did for me and the Falcons overall.

“It was just such a fantastic job and such a great place that I went and spent my time at.”

Turner fulfilled various media roles — including a ‘Talking Turkey’ column in the Geelong Advertiser, led a then struggling Barwon Heads to a premiership as football director in 1993 and was a player manager to several former Cats.

A party animal during his playing days, he managed to organise a Skyhooks gig at the Warrnambool Surf Club in 1975 along with Barham.

“Mick and his mates had put on one for the ages,” Levi said.

Gartland relayed Turner’s life mantra to finish his tribute: “Everybody should aspire to reach their potential, whatever that looks like. Whether that be in football, business or in life, just be the best that you can be.”

While his life was tragically cut short, Turner certainly got the best out of himself and others.

Originally published as The late Geelong great Michael ‘Mick’ Turner farewelled at funeral after tragic passing from pancreatic cancer