SCHULTZ, Graeme

Graeme Schultz was a clever rover, wingman and forward from Warracknabeal. His goalkicking ability was a major asset; he kicked four goals in his first game and he was Essendon's third top goalkicker in 1971. He won the Reserves Most Serviceable Player award in 1973.

He finished third in Essendon's Best and Fairest award in 1974 and also won the Most Improved Player award that year.

Schultz went to Western Australia in 1975 to begin a Physical Education degree. The Club initially refused to give him a clearance but eventually granted it and he played 12 games with Subiaco. He had instant success and nearly won the Sandover Medal, polling 12 votes and finishing just four votes behind the winner.

The 1975 Annual Report stated that the Club "is endeavouring to get him to return to Melbourne to continue his studies", but he stayed in Perth and played with Subiaco from 1975 to 1980.

He was convinced by coach Kevin Sheedy to return to Essendon in 1981 to bolster the roving division. He played his first game in Round 10 and then only missed one more game for the rest of the season. In the Round 13 game against Richmond, he kicked three goals in the first ten minutes, then kicked the match-winning goal, after taking a courageous mark, in a game President Greg Sewell described as "the best at Windy Hill for twenty years".

He played in the forward pocket in the 1981 night premiership and was again the third top goalkicker in 1981.

Injuries interrupted his 1982 season and he broke his leg in his first game in 1983 which effectively ended his career although he did play in Reserves' premiership team that year.

Schultz joined Footscray in 1984 but played no senior games and transferred to Camberwell during the season.

He played at Maryborough for three years and was coach in 1985 and 1986.

His career brought him back to Melbourne in 1988 and he played with Keilor, winning the premiership that year. He returned to Essendon in 1992 as skills coach and acting as runner for the Reserves, before working with Merv Keane at the Western Jets.

He has been president of the Essendon Past Players and Officials Association.