Cunningham was originally recruited from Golden Point in Ballarat on match permits, but was given a clearance to play the 1978 VFL season. Originally wearing number 25 for St Kilda, he was asked to give it up for former Carlton great, Alex Jesaulenko, who had left the Blues in 1980 – after coaching the 1979 premiership – to captain-coach the Saints. Cunningham was handed the number 5 guernsey and made it his own for the next decade.
Honours
Cunningham played during an era of little club success, which included St Kilda earning four successive wooden spoons from 1983 until 1986. However, the tough wingman was a rare shining light. His rivalry with the young Swan, David Rhys-Jones, was highly anticipated in the days of one-on-one match-ups. With champion Trevor Barker regularly missing games through chronic injury, Cunningham was often the only Saint selected to play for Victoria. Debuting in 1982, Cunningham played eight State of Origin games against South Australia and Western Australia. Cunningham, perhaps surprisingly, never won a club best and fairest award.
Family
Geoff Cunningham was joined by his younger brother, Daryl, (Fader) at St Kilda in 1983. The two were physically confronting together against opposition sides and proved intimidating. Often when one was in a scuffle, the other was close behind in support. Daryl was axed after four seasons and found his way to Essendon after Kevin Sheedy invited him down or pre-season when spotted him watching a practice match involving Essendon and St Kilda.
Final days
Cunningham's last game was in Round 12, 1989 against Hawthorn at a packed Moorabbin. It coincided with coach and legend, Darrel Baldock's decision to step aside after battling health problems. Cunningham's teammate, Ken Sheldon, was geared to take over the coaching reins with a new game plan. Aged 31 for the next season, Cunningham decided to retire after 224 games. Cunningham is one of only four VFL/AFL players, along with former teammate Trevor Barker, to have played 200 games without experiencing a final. Two seasons later St Kilda participated in its first final series since 1973. He would go on to coach Traralgon in the Latrobe Valley to successive premierships, and was the club's senior coach in 1996, the first of its two seasons in the Victorian Football League.[1] Cunningham now lives in Brisbane.
References
^"VFL reunion". Latrobe Valley Express. 7 July 2016. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
External links
Geoff Cunningham's playing statistics from AFL Tables
January 07, 2023
geoff, cunningham, soccer, player, jeff, cunningham, born, january, 1959, former, australian, rules, footballer, played, kilda, victorian, football, league, personal, informationnickname, joffadate, birth, 1959, january, 1959, place, birthballarat, victoriaori. For the soccer player see Jeff Cunningham Geoff Cunningham born 7 January 1959 is a former Australian rules footballer who played for St Kilda in the Victorian Football League VFL Geoff CunninghamPersonal informationNickname s JoffaDate of birth 1959 01 07 7 January 1959 age 63 Place of birthBallarat VictoriaOriginal team s Golden PointHeight183 cm 6 ft 0 in Weight83 kg 183 lb Position s Wing Half Back FlankPlaying career1YearsClubGames Goals 1977 1989St Kilda224 58 1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1989 Sources AFL Tables AustralianFootball com Contents 1 Career 1 1 Early days 1 2 Honours 1 3 Family 1 4 Final days 2 References 3 External linksCareer EditEarly days Edit Cunningham was originally recruited from Golden Point in Ballarat on match permits but was given a clearance to play the 1978 VFL season Originally wearing number 25 for St Kilda he was asked to give it up for former Carlton great Alex Jesaulenko who had left the Blues in 1980 after coaching the 1979 premiership to captain coach the Saints Cunningham was handed the number 5 guernsey and made it his own for the next decade Honours Edit Cunningham played during an era of little club success which included St Kilda earning four successive wooden spoons from 1983 until 1986 However the tough wingman was a rare shining light His rivalry with the young Swan David Rhys Jones was highly anticipated in the days of one on one match ups With champion Trevor Barker regularly missing games through chronic injury Cunningham was often the only Saint selected to play for Victoria Debuting in 1982 Cunningham played eight State of Origin games against South Australia and Western Australia Cunningham perhaps surprisingly never won a club best and fairest award Family Edit Geoff Cunningham was joined by his younger brother Daryl Fader at St Kilda in 1983 The two were physically confronting together against opposition sides and proved intimidating Often when one was in a scuffle the other was close behind in support Daryl was axed after four seasons and found his way to Essendon after Kevin Sheedy invited him down or pre season when spotted him watching a practice match involving Essendon and St Kilda Final days Edit Cunningham s last game was in Round 12 1989 against Hawthorn at a packed Moorabbin It coincided with coach and legend Darrel Baldock s decision to step aside after battling health problems Cunningham s teammate Ken Sheldon was geared to take over the coaching reins with a new game plan Aged 31 for the next season Cunningham decided to retire after 224 games Cunningham is one of only four VFL AFL players along with former teammate Trevor Barker to have played 200 games without experiencing a final Two seasons later St Kilda participated in its first final series since 1973 He would go on to coach Traralgon in the Latrobe Valley to successive premierships and was the club s senior coach in 1996 the first of its two seasons in the Victorian Football League 1 Cunningham now lives in Brisbane References Edit VFL reunion Latrobe Valley Express 7 July 2016 Retrieved 29 July 2016 External links EditGeoff Cunningham s playing statistics from AFL Tables Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Geoff Cunningham amp oldid 1117389655, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
