Gerard Neesham
Gerard Joseph Neesham OAM (born 11 December 1954) is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the Sydney Swans in the Victorian Football League (VFL) and for the East Fremantle Football Club, Swan Districts Football Club and Claremont Football Club in the West Australian Football League (WAFL).
| Gerard Neesham | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Gerard Joseph Neesham | ||
| Date of birth | 11 December 1954 | ||
| Original team(s) | Fremantle CBC Amateurs | ||
| Height | 175 cm (5 ft 9 in) | ||
| Weight | 76 kg (168 lb) | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 1975–77, 1985–86 | East Fremantle | 79 (51) | |
| 1979–1984 | Swan Districts | 97 (93) | |
| 1982 | Sydney Swans | 9 (1) | |
| 1987–1989 | Claremont | 42 (14) | |
| Total | 227 (159) | ||
| Coaching career | |||
| Years | Club | Games (W–L–D) | |
| 1987–1994 | Claremont | 171 (123–45–3) | |
| 1995–1998 | Fremantle | 88 (32–56–0) | |
| Total | 259 (155–101–3) | ||
|
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1989. | |||
| Career highlights | |||
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| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
Hailing from a famous Western Australian sporting family, Neesham enjoyed a very successful football career both as a player and coach, and was recognised for his achievements in 2004 when he was inducted into the West Australian Football Hall of Fame. Since 2000, Neesham has served as chief executive officer of the Clontarf Foundation. His services to indigenous youth and to football were recognised in 2011 when he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia as part of the Australia Day Honours List.