Football community pays tribute to Neagle

Essendon and Sydney Swans great Merv Neagle died yesterday after a truck accident north of Griffith in country NSW.

A member of the Bombers’ 1984 Premiership side, the 54-year-old died on Thursday morning when he lost control of the prime mover he was driving and crashed into an orchard.

Former Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy, now at the helm of the GWS Giants, expressed his sadness at Neagle’s death and remembered the 203-gamer.

“I was lucky enough to coach Merv and he was not only a brilliant footballer but was also a real character and a highly respected teammate and friend to many people,” Sheedy said.

“Merv was a very tenacious, hard running player and his courage and toughness were typical of Essendon teams of that era. He had great physicality for a wingman and was a terrific kick for goal on the run.”

AFL NSW/ACT General Manager Tom Harley said Neagle would be remembered for his active role in football beyond his playing days.

“Being an Essendon fan as a young boy, I remember Merv as a Premiership player for the Bombers. His teammates of the time always spoke so highly of him,” he said.

“His latter contribution to the Swans in the late 80s was also very significant. His ongoing involvement in AFL in NSW will be sorely missed.

“Merv was a great footy person and all our thoughts are with his family and close friends.”

Neagle was recruited from Dimboola Football Club in Victoria and played 147 matches with Essendon between 1977 and 1985 where he finished second in the 1980 Brownlow Medal and equal fifth the following season.

He crossed to Sydney in 1986 as part of the Swans’ recruiting spree and although hampered by injury, he managed a further 56 games before retiring in 1990.

Sydney Swans Deputy Chairman Andrew McMaster said Neagle would be fondly remembered for his time at the Club.

“Merv was one of football’s great characters,” McMaster said. “He was a fantastic Clubman and strong on-field leader.

“While injury restricted him in the latter part of his career, Merv played some outstanding football with the Swans.”

After his retirement, Neagle coached grassroots clubs in several states, including North Albury and Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes in NSW.

After moving back to his wife’s home town of Walla Walla in southern NSW, he was asked to take over as senior coach this season. He was a popular figure, taking the Hoppers from the bottom of the ladder to the cusp of the top six this year.

“[Neagle] gave a lot back to country football after he retired and along with Tim Watson was one of the finest players to come out of Dimboola,” Sheedy said.

“Merv has left us all too soon but has left those who knew him with many great memories.”

Neagle is survived by wife Donna and his five children, Jay, 24, Jydon, 17, Nathan, 16, Matthew,14, and Jaxon, 12.

Photo courtesy www.sydneyswans.com.au