Phil Stringer remembered as Bellarine league’s greatest ever footballer after passing

The man recently voted the best player in the history of Bellarine footy has died, with tributes flowing among the footy community for a “great bloke” who possessed insane marking ability.

The Bellarine footy community is mourning the loss of Ocean Grove great Phil Stringer.

Mr Stringer was known as one of the greatest local footballers to have played in the Geelong and Bellarine region, collecting six best-and-fairest awards at both Thomson and Ocean Grove in a career spanning across three decades.

He was awarded the Les Ash Medal in 1980, and was runner up in 1975’s count when he polled 17 votes in just six games before travelling overseas and losing the count by two votes.

Last year, the Addy drew on some of the best minds in the local footy community to determine the league’s top 50 of all-time, and he was duly named the No.1.

Mr White said his old teammate took an active interest in his old club’s football and cricket teams right up until his passing. Picture: Alison Wynd

Every couple of weeks, Dennis White would bump into his old footy teammate down at the Madeley Street milk bar.

The pair of former Grubbers would share a smile and a handshake, and spend five minutes chatting about Ocean Grove’s season so far and how the side was faring.

Mr White said his old teammate took an active interest in his old club’s football and cricket teams right up until his passing at 72 years old.

Phil Stringer was named the No 1 player in the Bellarine Football League top 50 players of all time. Picture: Alison Wynd

“We’d see each other every now and then, but every time we’d have a bit of a yarn about the footy or the cricket,” he said.

“He’d go to the first half of Thomson’s game then drive out to watch the second half of Ocean Grove, and during the summer he’d pull into the cricket club and hide out in his car, watching the games.

“He was a great bloke and a great mate of mine.”

Phil Stringer with his collection of league best and fairest medals. Picture: Alison Wynd

Mr White said he remembered Mr Stringer as the “greatest ever player” to play at a local level.

“He was barely six foot and was one of the best overhead marks I’ve ever seen, he’d be four or five players deep in a pack and he’d come out with the ball in his hands,” he said.

Phil Stringer

“Phil was a serious competitor, one of the toughest players I’ve seen but he was so laid bad and lackadaisical when it came to training and preparation.

“In the pre-season he never looked like a good player, he’d just cruise around on the training track, but during games I don’t even know if he had a top gear because he just did everything with such ease.

“Before games he’d be sitting on a bench, jumper, boots and socks on but no shorts, right when we were set to run out he would pop his shorts on and he’d be ready to go out.

“That’s just how Phil was, he was so laid back and just happy to not worry about anything.”

Originally published as Phil Stringer remembered as Bellarine league’s greatest ever footballer after passing