03 Dec Phil Cleary
Phil Cleary is an Australian commentator on politics and sport particularly Australian rules football and a former independent politician elected at the 1992 Wills by election Phil first came to notice as a prominent player and coach in Victorias second level Australian rules football competition the Victorian Football Association for the Coburg Football Club He debuted with the club in 1975 playing 205 games second only to Dave Starbuck in Coburg club history and kicking 317 goals He was a member of the 1979 premiership side and losing 1980 side He coached the club between 198492 captain coach between 198487 upon which he retired as a player before leading them to back to back premierships in 198889 In the 1986 VFA grand final against Williamstown he was sensationally ordered off only to be found not guilty at the tribunal He coached the VFA representative side on five occasions without losing a game He was one of the most well known players in the VFA in his era and was instantly recognisable from the thick beard he wore throughout his career Cleary has been a part of the ABCs telecast of VFAVFL football as a match day commentator since 1987 juggling coaching and commentary duties for the first five seasons He now conducts interviews and acts as a boundary rider for the match of the day writes a weekly column for the football magazine Inside Football and regularly appears in the media on a range of social and political issues He has campaigned to stop male violence against women since his sister was murdered by her former partner in 1987 He is a freelance journalist and public speaker and is the author of three books Cleary Independent Just Another Little Murder and Getting Away with Murder He currently works as communications manager for the Electrical Trades Union
