David Granger had only a brief stint in St Kilda colours, but is forever remembered in South Australian football where he had a degree of notoriety in the 1980s.

Granger, who passed away on March 7 at the age of 69, was overtaken by the persona he created when playing in the SANFL with Port Adelaide.

Granger was initially invited to try out with the Saints in 1974 when former coach Alan Killigrew, by then a talent scout with the Saints, was impressed with his efforts with western district side Darley. He had three games on permit for the reserves, but after a disagreement with coach Allan Jeans, promptly returned to the bush.

His local publican, the famous ex-Melbourne full-forward Fred Fanning, chastised him for not doing something about a football career and recommended him to Port Adelaide secretary Bob McLean.

Granger was part of a Port Adelaide side which was on the rise winning every game in 1976 before going down to Sturt in the supposedly “unloseable” Grand Final. In 1977, Port won the SANFL Centenary Grand Final.

By 1979, St Kilda’s interest had stirred and he came back at the age of 24. His senior VFL debut was delayed by two months due to a badly broken hand, but he donned the club’s most famous number – 10 – for his debut against Carlton. His number was changed to No. 7 for his next two games and he would wryly comment in later years that the club was keeping the No. 10 aside for a young Michael Roberts to inherit from his father Neil.

St Kilda was enduring one of its worst financial periods and he headed back to Port Adelaide for the 1980 season. His reputation grew for fearsome on-field tactics which often crossed the line of legality. In the 1981 SANFL Grand Final, he ended the career of Glenelg’s Neville “Twiggy” Caldwell with what the press described as a "pre-meditated king-hit".  During half-time of that game, Granger alleged that two of the club’s leaders had told him to “take them out” in the second half.

Port won the game, but a nine-week suspension for Granger finished his SANFL career after 103 games.

In Port Adelaide’s obituary Granger’s former captain Brian Cunningham said: "We never saw the best of David consistently on the field. I will remember him as an enormously talented player and someone who contributed significantly in a key role for our premiership success.

“David was playing the toughest position – and holding up that role with his strength and his skill. He could reach high and take a powerful pack mark. He had a beautiful, long kick.”