Geoff Cunningham

Recruited from the Golden Point Football Club in Ballarat, Geoff "Joffa" Cunningham arrived at Moorabbin in the late 1970s and quickly established himself as a staple of the St Kilda lineup. His early days were marked by a notable act of deference; after initially wearing the number 25, he famously handed the guernsey over to incoming captain-coach Alex Jesaulenko in 1980, switching to the number 5 which he would make his own for the next decade. A deceptively fast and evasive wingman who could also drift to a half-back flank, Cunningham was renowned for his use of the torpedo punt and a ruthless, buccaneering attack on the football that endeared him to the Saints faithful.

Cunningham’s career is defined by unwavering loyalty during one of the bleakest periods in St Kilda’s history. Playing through an era that yielded multiple wooden spoons and extended stays near the bottom of the ladder, he remained a rare shining light alongside club legend Trevor Barker. His individual quality was recognised by selectors, earning him regular Victorian State of Origin guernseys at a time when few Saints were considered for representative honours. He retired in 1989 as a one-club player, holding the bittersweet distinction of playing over 200 games without ever featuring in a final, a testament to his durability and commitment through the club's leanest years.