Long time fans of the Melbourne Football Club will remember fondly Geoff Tunbridge who was recruited to the club relatively late at age 25 in 1957. A half forward flanker, Tunbridge played in three premiership teams in his 117 games over six seasons as a Demon. He was a colourful character and he was never paid a penny for his services. 

Tunbridge refused on ideological grounds to accept payment from Melbourne Football Club, as he believed that players should play for the love of the game (the only money he did accept was compensation for the cost of petrol, given the long drive between Ballarat and Melbourne - eight pence/year in his Volkswagen). 

Now there's a player in this coming draft who carries the same surname (but apparently not related) who walked out of GWS a couple of weeks ago citing homesickness. He wants to play for Fremantle or West Coast.

I don't raise his name as a prospective Demon but rather to suggest that wherever he ends up his first pay cheque will be closer to that of his namesake than that of a certain player who recently joined the outfit he's just left Tunbridge back in the mix

Ah! The glamor of Sydney's west! How quickly it palls!

And I see G Tunbridge at matches every so often!

Some fond memories there WJ. Geoff was skinny as a rake but a beautiful kick for goal despite an awkward kicking style IIRC. Played 'starvation corner' to a tee.

Some fond memories there WJ. Geoff was skinny as a rake but a beautiful kick for goal despite an awkward kicking style IIRC. Played 'starvation corner' to a tee.

He did indeed - known as Geoff "Wobbly Punt" Tunbridge as I recall.

If any current MFC HFF plays in three premierships I am sure we will all celebrate

Geoff Tunbridge was my year 12 Chemistry teacher back in 2005, he umpired the year 11 vs. year 12 footy match each year. He's now retired but was a cult figure at my school