By Callum Ludwig
An Upper Yarra footy icon has sadly passed away recently.
Jeff Cole was a legend of both the Powelltown and Yarra Junction Football Netball Clubs and he died recently at the age of 77.
Jeff was a star from a young age, first cracking into Powelltown’s senior side at the age of only 14 and being named as the Best First-Year Player that season, by which time he had only just turned 15.
Former Powelltown Football Netball Club President Peter Podolinsky said Jeff was always known for being a very fair and reasonable person while also a great competitive footballer.
“I was just a kid when he played at Powelltown but played against him when he was at Yarra Junction and you could just never catch the fella, he was so quick and you could always see him thinking about what he was going to do next. He was a bit of a yapper, but also a great team player,” he said.
“Jeff and his friend Peter Fletcher would often be seen having popped out to Powelltown games when Yarra Junction was playing far away in Alexandra or something like that. He was just a ripper person on and off the field.”
The first game of every season between his two clubs is played for the Jeff Cole Perpetual Shield, named in his honour, and until his death, Jeff was the one to award the Jeff Cole Medallion, which he did for 13 years, and he had said he gave it to “whoever played consistently well all day”. The shield is retained at the clubrooms of the winning side for 12 months.
Over the years, Jeff together with his 7 brothers and brother-in-law all played at Powelltown through the juniors or seniors.
Jeff played in three grand finals with the Towners, winning two and he kicked 5 goals in the 1964 Grand Final and was named among the best players. During his time at ‘Powelly’, Jeff won four club best and fairest honours, and one league best and fairest.
Jeff then left Powelltown in 1967 to play at crosstown rivals Yarra Junction, which was playing at a higher level at that point in time. He won back-to-back premierships and added a further six club best and fairest honours and two league best and fairest awards in his time with the Eagles.
Long-time former Yarra Junction football Netball Club President Tony Aulich said Jeff’s playing record speaks for itself, he was a champion who was the best.
“He was not tall, he was wiry, durable, skilled, and never gave less than his absolute best to the game he loved. His sporting achievements will probably never be surpassed in our community. Superlatives can never faithfully reflect the achievements and the value to our community of our beloved Jeff Cole,” he said.
“Jeff Cole was a champion in every sense of the word; he was an athlete far above average abilities, a cherished husband and father, a loyal friend, and just a beautiful human being. Jeff was humble, sincere, and genuine.”
Such was Jeff’s talent, he was invited to train with Carlton in the then-VFL in 1963 but wasn’t a huge fan of living in the city and remained in the Upper Yarra, his home of choice.
Mr Aulich said it was as a beautiful human being that Jeff will best be remembered.
“His warmth, his sincerity, his genuine interest in everyone, his love of family, and his quiet humility, will always stay with those that knew him, respected him, and loved him. May Jeff Cole now rest eternally in God’s care,” he said
“The Yarra Junction Football and Netball Club extends its deepest condolences to Jenny, Jody, Mike, Cassie, and Susan, on the loss of a husband, father, and our Club legend and beautiful friend Jeff Cole.”
Jeff played over 600 games between both sides and was a life member of the league. He is named in the Powelltown team of the Half Century and is the vice-captain of the Yarra Junction Team of the Century.
Jeff’s funeral will be at the Heritage Chapel in Woori Yallock at 11.00am on Wednesday 14 December.
