Gary Moorcroft calls time on legendary career after more than 350 local footy matches

AFL premiership-winner and Northern Football Netball League legend Gary Moorcroft has called time on his career after more than 350 local footy games.

Gary Moorcroft in action for South Morang. Picture: Nathan McNeill

Gary Moorcroft is hanging up the boots … again.

The Essendon premiership star and Northern Football Netball League legend has called time after more than 350 local footy matches and 1300 goals.

The physical demands of senior football and increasing work commitments forced his hand.

Moorcroft, at 47, spent 2023 with South Morang, earning Division 2 Team of the Year honours after kicking 44 goals in 14 matches.

He had planned to suit up again this year as the Lions look to become premiership contenders before pulling the pin.

Gary Moorcroft in action for South Morang. Picture: Nathan McNeill

“I’ve taken on a bigger role at Metal Men Recycling, so that’s the next chapter to concentrate on,” Moorcroft said.

“I might take up golf, that’ll keep my body fresher.

“It’s a little bit frustrating to do the start of pre-season, get through OK, and then after Christmas the body let go.

“I would have loved to have hung around and helped coach but with work, it’s pretty time consuming.”

A three-time premiership player at Bundoora in 2011, 2013 and 2017 and two-time league-leading goalkicker in 2012 and 2016.

Booted 578 goals in 172 games for the Bulls, including a bag of five in his final game in 2019.

While he played four reserve grade games for Bundoora in 2022, he returned to senior football full-time with the Lions last year.

Coach Gary Hall said it had been a privilege to have him at Mill Park Lakes.

Gary Moorcroft celebrates a goal for Bundoora. Picture: George Salpigtidis

“It’s unfortunate but he’ll get around us and support the boys as much as he can,” Hall said.

“His body was taking a toll but mostly his work commitments made it hard to commit, which is understandable.

“It was good to have someone of his experience to help you with tricks of the trade, especially for our forwards, we really appreciate the time he spent with us.

“I think he enjoyed running around with the young boys and he did so well to get his body to last as long as it did, credit to him.”

South Morang recruited strongly, adding the likes of reigning Division 2 Coaches’ MVP Tyrone Leonardis, Kobe and Teague van Zwienen, Kyle Wheatley and James Mellerick over summer.

The club has made an impressive start to 2024, defeating Lower Plenty by 105 points in Round 1 before easing past Watsonia by 26 points on Saturday.

Moorcroft forecast big things for the club in the future.

“The recruiting had been fantastic and they’re off to a flyer already,” he said.

“Hopefully I gave South Morang, some of the younger kids, a bit of nous about preparing for Divvy 1 footy and better footy going forward.

“They’ve got a good young group there and the recruits they’ve picked up should see them take a massive step.

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“Potentially, the next three years is going to be crucial.

“Getting the internal stuff right is a big process and the junior side of things is set up really well.”

The crafty forward has also spent time at Silvan in the then Yarra Valley Mountain league, Romsey in the Riddell District and Tallangatta outfit Bright.

For South Morang, Joshua D’Intinosante booted six goals in the win over Lower Plenty, while Wheatley has kicked five and Teague van Zwienen four goals across the opening fortnight.