It was in that last guise that he experienced the thrill of seeing his grandson, Brett Kirk, captain an AFL flag-winning team when the club broke its premiership drought in beating West Coast for the 2005 crown.

“He’s such a great kid, too, and the way he holds himself is fantastic,” Mr Moras said of Kirk.

Mr Moras’ football efforts included playing for Lavington and supporting North Albury through assisting with juniors and selling raffle tickets.

North Albury identity Ian Rowland first met Mr Moras when they were working at the Borg Warner gearbox factory in the 1970s.

“He was a terrific fella, a great gentleman and he loved his family and his involvement with the football club, especially with his grandson Brett,” Mr Rowland said.

Son Craig Moras said his father’s devotion to Kirk, who had played at North Albury, had caused him to swap AFL teams.

“He’s probably one of the few Collingwood supporters who changed allegiances in his life,” Mr Moras said. “There’s not many of those around.”

“Even when Brett retired from the Swans, he didn’t go back.”