BIO

Raymond Peter Liebich was born on 27th January 1935. Educated at Nuriootpa High School, he played locally for the Nuriootpa Rover Football Club (Tigers) in the Barossa and Light Football Association.

In 1952 Liebich was runner-up for the Mail Medal, awarded to the competition's best and fairest footballer.

He played in a premiership for Nuriootpa in 1954, but not before the Tigers had survived a scare in the second semi-final against Freeling, narrowly winning 12.17 to 11.14. Liebich had flown back from Melbourne to play in the game, and was a key contributor at centre-half forward.
 
Deciding to join Norwood the following season, he made his league debut against West Torrens in round two 1955. The match was drawn : Norwood 8.18 to West Torrens 9.12. He played three senior games in his first year with the club. His good form in the Reserves was rewarded with selection in the South Australian Reserves team that played Victoria mid season. He was named on a half-back flank in a team considered at the time to be the state's best ever Reserves combination.
 
Whilst he again performed admirably in the Reserves the following season, he only played another two league games. His final league appearance for the Redlegs
resulted in Norwood defeating West Adelaide in a close game : 11.17 to 10.12 (Round 14). 
 
At the end of the 1956 season Liebich parted ways with Norwood when league coach Jack Oatey replaced him with Haydn Bunton. Liebich re-joined Nuriootpa during 1957 and played in another premiership.
 
Back with Norwood in 1958, he played the season in the Reserves, with Neil Dansie as coach. The team was beaten in the Grand Final.
 
Alan Killigrew was appointed as the new senior coach in 1959, bringing with him several Victorian recruits. Looking for more opportunities, Liebich moved to Sturt and played another five league games in 1960. He later coached in the country for a couple of seasons.
 
Ray married Judith in 1957, and they had four children. Ray's work as a bank manager for the National Bank took him to various country towns, as well as Adelaide and Melbourne.
 

Ray Liebich passed away on 14th October 1987

R Cialini, R Walsh March 2020