Former Geelong AFL champion and 1989 Brownlow medalist Paul Couch has died at the age of 51. The Cats great died after coming off his bike on the Great Ocean Road in Marengo on Saturday morning, police confirmed. He had been cycling with friends.
“At this early stage, his death is being attributed to some sort of medical condition,” police spokesman Leading Senior Constable Paul Turner said in a statement, adding that no other vehicle was involved.
With the likes of Garry Hocking and Mark Bairstow, Couch formed one of the most formidable midfield combinations of the late 1980s and early 1990s, helping to propel Geelong to four grand final appearances between 1989 and 1995, all of which they lost. He won three Geelong best and fairest awards and was named to the All-Australian team twice in a storied 259-game career.
Geelong CEO Brian Cook said in a statement that Couch was “an icon” of the club. “With a Brownlow Medal, three best and fairests and selection in the club’s team of the century, Paul’s record speaks for itself,” Cook said. “Paul was a critical player in returning the club to being a regular finals team and was a great big game performer. However, it was as a fun loving person, husband and father that Paul excelled.”
“He will be deeply missed by all that knew him.”
Former club president Frank Costa told 3AW radio Couch’s death was “a very, very sad occasion” for Geelong. “He’s a bloke that always had a smile on his face for everybody, he’s a guy that was sorely missed around the club,” he said. “He was a dominating bloke around the centre, with a wonderful left foot kick. He was around the club, with the past players he would come to games. He was always involved, he was a very active guy.”
The AFL said on its Twitter and Facebook accounts that the league “extends its deepest sympathy to the family, friends and former teammates of 1989 Brownlow Medallist Paul Couch”. Geelong Mayor Darryn Lyons said he was “saddened to hear” of Couch’s death, “Thinkin of his family during this time” he tweeted.
News of Couch’s death broke shortly before his old team were about to take on Essendon in the NAB Challenge in Shepparton. Geelong confirmed on Twitter that both sides would wear black armbands in honour of Couch during the game.
