Geelong Hall of Famer Ken Newland dies, aged 75

Geelong great Ken Newland, who played 216 AFL games and made his debut at 16, has died.

Ken Newland has passed away. Newland in 1972.

Geelong Cats Hall of Fame member Ken Newland has died at the age of 75.

The club confirmed the passing of the 216-game forward on Friday morning.

Geelong’s youngest ever debutant, playing his first game at 16 years and 74 days old in 1965, Newland198 games for Geelong and featured in another 18 for Footscray in 1976.

From Warrnambool Tech, the 187 centimetre talent returned to Geelong in 1977 and played another two seasons in the hoops, finishing with 255 career goals to his name.

Remarkably, Newland brought up his 100th milestone at the age of 21 – only Tim Watson and Garry Young were younger when they reached this milestone.

The No.3 racked up 31 disposals in just his fourth game and showed his talent the end of his career, booting six goals in the second-last game.

At 18, Newland took a spectacular mark in Geelong’s losing grand final against Richmond in 1967 and played a pivotal role with 26 disposals.

The passing of Newland follows the deaths of fellow Geelong greats Mick Turner and Bill McMaster in the past month.

Originally published as Geelong Hall of Famer Ken Newland dies, aged 75