AFL mourns the loss of Geelong icon Michael Turner

Geelong Cats football legend Michael Turner has passed away at the age of 70 following a courageous two-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Turner, a revered figure both on and off the field, died on Monday, December 30, surrounded by family at Lorne Community Hospital.

Turner’s illustrious AFL career with the Geelong Cats spanned 245 games from 1974 to 1988, during which he captained the team for three years and scored 285 goals.

Known for his game-breaking pace and exceptional skill, Turner was a standout winger, earning All-Australian honours in 1979 and a place in Geelong’s Team of the Century.

AFL Chief Executive Andrew Dillon hailed Turner as both a playing great and a pivotal mentor in the game’s development.

“Mick Turner was a brilliant wingman in an era of fantastic players and is remembered for his ability to lift the team with his pace and big goals,” Dillon said.

“Beyond his playing days, Mick shaped the careers of countless young players, leaving a lasting legacy through his work with the Geelong Falcons.”

Turner’s tenure as talent manager at the Geelong Falcons, spanning 25 years, saw 134 players drafted into AFL clubs, including modern greats such as Gary Ablett Jr., Patrick Dangerfield, Luke Hodge, and Jonathan Brown.

The Falcons credited Turner for transforming their program, stating, “MT9’s legacy will live long in the walls of Highton Reserve and in the faces of those he guided.”

Barwon Heads Football Club also honoured Turner’s profound impact on the local community.

“Mick was a cornerstone of our community, pivotal in the 1993 premiership and deeply involved in various leadership roles,” the club said.

Turner was recently awarded AFL life membership following a special resolution from the AFL Commission, ensuring he knew of the honour before his passing.

His family, including his wife Karen, sons Levi and Che, and his four grandchildren, survive him.

Former player agent Ricky Nixon remembered Turner as a generous figure who shaped football in south-west Victoria.

“Mick referred countless stars to me in my early days, and his kindness and friendship will never be forgotten,” Nixon wrote.

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