BIO

Graham Nicholls was a star in the Barossa Valley competition and Norwood beat North Adelaide in a lengthy battle to sign the services of the Eudunda ruckman in 1954.

At 198cm , 100 kilos and with good ball handling skills, he was quick to impress Norwood coach Jack Oatey.  

"Old Nick" played in a period when the club was blessed with a string of quality big men - Pat Hall, John Marriott, Bob Skinner, Norm Walker and later Bill Wedding .

Driving more than 200 km from his farm to train and play, Nicholls was noted for his late arrivals on match days, sometimes arriving with only 10 minutes to spare.

Possessing a great work ethic he was scrupulously fair and a great team man. He was a great mark but a poor kick

Nicholls played in the 1955 and 1957 Grand Finals, and was a member of the 1956 and 1958 Norwood teams that won the Advertiser Cup night competitions

Nicholls and his wife were well known singers in South Australian competitions. After winning his second Best & Fairest and playing his 100th game in 1959,  he retired from football to further his singing career overseas.

After 12 years of their successful singing careers overseas Graham and his wife, Barbara Barrowman returned to  Adelaide.  He  undertook study for the Methodist ministry and was ordained in 1976, a year  before the Uniting Church was inaugurated.  He served in Adelaide parishes including Brighton and Woodville over the next 25 years. He continued his singing career for some years after his return and was a very popular parish minister.

R Cialini Oct 2013