Ringo a star of longevity in country footy

At 60 years young, Adrian ‘Ringo’ Morgan will line up at fullback again on Saturday for a club looking to break a flag drought this year.

The possibility of another senior premiership is extending the playing career of Adrian “Ringo” Morgan beyond his 60th birthday he celebrated this week.

Rather than retiring to take up coaching or a volunteer role long ago, Morgan will line-up at full back for flag favourites Swan Reach against Omeo-Benambra on Saturday, keen to add another rival player to the list of opponents he has beaten in recent matches.

Morgan debuted as a junior in the mid-1970s for Wy Yung where he has played the bulk of his 500-plus senior matches.

Escaping serious injuries has been integral to his longevity in the game and almost certainly being the oldest player still taking the field at senior level in Victoria.

“I hurt my knee once,” Morgan said.

“But that was near the end of the season and it came good by the time the next one rolled around.

“I’m just hooked on the game and can’t stop.

“I watch a game on TV and just want to go out and play.”

Adrian "Ringo" Morgan gathers the ball for Swan Reach playing against Lindenow South. Picture: Rod Twining

Morgan almost died in 2020 when he had to be revived twice after suffering a heart attack while watching footy on a Friday night.

“Geelong was playing someone and I started getting heartburn and felt a bit faint,” he said.

“I quickly realised something wasn’t quite right and couldn’t wait around for an ambulance to come.

“I went straight into cardiac arrest when I laid down in the hospital emergency department.

“A lot of it came down to cholesterol.”

Swan Reach is a tight-knit team made up mostly of Indigenous players coached by Wilfred Carter.

The you

.⁦⁦@craighutchy⁩ looking for a country footy legend, heart attack survivor for EJ Whitten Legends game? “Ringo” Morgan turned 60 this week and still playing senior footy and beating his opponents. ⁦@theweeklytimes⁩ https://t.co/5kfLIF8VK6

— David Johnston (@david_johnston5) July 24, 2025

ngest members of the team were born more than 40 years after Morgan started playing.

He has played eight matches this season with three home and away rounds to go before finals when Swan Reach will be aiming to win its first flag in 11 years.

“It would mean a lot to go out on a high like that,” he said.

“I’m playing with a lot of my cousins and nephews.

“Playing in a flag with them would be really good.”

Swan Reach's Adrian "Ringo" Morgan and son Jirrah when he played his 400th senior match. Picture: Rod Twining

Morgan has played for three other Omeo District league clubs and also pulled on the boots to help out Ensay before folding early in 1995.

He was part of a premiership with Bruthen in 2004 and played in a flag for another East Gippsland club that no longer exists, West Bairnsdale.

He has also played for Paynesville, Lucknow, Wy Yung, Lindenow and Snowy Rovers before its merger with Orbost.

“I got asked to go and train with Richmond once, but I didn’t end up going,” he said.

Originally published as Ringo a star of longevity in country footy