‘Misunderstood’ footy great dies after controversial career that saw him nicknamed ‘Grave Danger’ and busted for drug trafficking

Ex-Port Adelaide player David Granger has died after a long battle with cancer.

The 69-year-old – who was nicknamed ‘Grave Danger’ – died on Thursday, according to a statement by his former club released just after midday on Friday.

‘The Port Adelaide Football Club is saddened by the passing of two-time premiership player David Granger who passed away yesterday at the age of 69,’ a club spokesperson said in the statement.

Granger played predominantly as a key forward representing Port Adelaide in 103 games from 1975 to 1982. In between, he played three games for St Kilda in 1979.

Granger was a key forward representing Port Adelaide in 103 games from 1975 to 1982 

Port Adelaide chief executive Matthew Richardson extended his condolences on behalf of the club to Mr Granger’s daughter Carly and the rest of his family.

‘David had battled health issues in recent years and it’s sad to learn of his passing,’ he said.

‘David was an incredibly talented player during Port Adelaide’s reign in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

‘He was a modern-day type player, 188 centimetres tall, athletic and strong. David was exceptionally talented and was instrumental in the club’s drought-breaking 1977 Grand Final victory.’

The football star was considered a controversial figure, both on the field and off.

While Granger was a talented player, his career was marred by a series of violent acts on the field

Granger had his troubles off the field as well, convicted of drug trafficking in 2002 after 17kg of cannabis 

He was known for a streak of violent incidents during his more than a decade-long career, including one incident in which he king hit Glenelg player Neville ‘Twiggy’ Caldwell during the 1981 grand final, putting an end to the player’s football career.

He also reportedly king hit Glenelg player Graham Cornes in the following year’s grand final.

He was convicted of drug trafficking in 2002 after 17kg of cannabis with an estimated worth of up to $35,000 was found at his home.

Granger’s 1981 Premiership captain Brian Cunningham said ‘his football talent and enormous skills were often underplayed due to his notoriety’.

Cunningham said while public opinion was not always fond of Mr Granger, he will personally remember him as a loyal team man.

‘He was misunderstood by others outside the club and sadly I don’t think we ever saw the best of David’s raw talent consistently on the field,’ he said.

‘I will remember him as enormously talented and someone who played a key role in our premiership successes in the late 1970s and early 1980s.’