The Australian Football League (AFL) community is mourning the sudden passing of Warren Ralph, a former Carlton player and West Australian Football League (WAFL) Hall of Famer, at the age of 66.
Ralph had a stellar career with Claremont in the WAFL, playing 123 games and kicking 563 goals, including four consecutive league goalkicking awards.
He also played 21 games for Carlton and 14 games for Glenelg in South Australia, totaling 687 goals from 164 senior games.
Known for his impressive debut for Carlton in 1984, Ralph kicked nine goals in his first game, the second-most in VFL/AFL history.
He went on to win the club’s goalkicking award that season with 55 goals, including eight in the qualifying final.
Ralph was inducted into the WAFL Hall of Fame in 2019 and was awarded retrospective Bernie Naylor Medals for topping the WAFL’s goalkicking tally.
Tributes have poured in for the goalkicking great, with Carlton historian Tony De Bolfo, SEN radio host Tim Gossage, and fans expressing their condolences.
The AFL community is urged to share their memories and tributes to Warren Ralph on social media using the hashtag `#ValeWarrenRalph`.
Those wishing to pay their respects may also contact the WAFL or Carlton Football Club for information on funeral arrangements and memorial services.