{xtypo_dropcap}W{/xtypo_dropcap}hen Graham Melrose played his first game for East Fremantle in 1967, the club was going through an unaccustomed lean spell. A classy small man, it was always apparent that he would become one of the club's great rovers. His early form was rewarded with State selection, and he made the first of nine appearances for Western Australia in 1970.  

It was the appointment of John Todd as coach that eventually saw the club become premiers in 1974, with Melrose winning Lynn Medals in 1972 and 74, as well as a Sandover Medal in the premiership year. He also starred in the grand final win.

Melrose took off almost every award available in 1974, and it was only a formality that there would be interest shown from Victoria.  The North Melbourne open cheque book, which had already claimed a few West Aussies, was again to the fore, and he lined up at Arden Street the following year.

It was a great season for North, culminating in a long awaited premiership, but unfortunately Melrose wasn't part of it. Forced out by injury at the end of the 1975 season, he did as much as anyone to ensure a repeat win the following year, but, despite putting in another fine effort in the grand final against Hawthorn, his side were beaten. It was 1976 all over again for Melrose in 1978, when the Kangaroos were premiers again, but once again he was not in the side on grand final day.

In 1980, Melrose returned home, but East Fremantle were rocked when he opted to follow his former premiership coach, Todd, to Bassendean. He was an immediate crowd favourite at Swans, and played some of his best football for the black and whites. 1982 saw him show his versatility. An inspirational move by Todd  saw the midfielder become a running defender, and his dashing displays in the back line were not only  factors in Swan Districts winning their first premiership since 1963, but won him the Simpson Medal on grand final day.

After playing a total of 327 league games, including 140 at East Fremantle, 111 with North Melbourne, 67 for Swan Districts, as well as  nine State appearances, Graham Melrose retired as a player at the end of the 1983 season. He returned to the Black and Whites eleven years later for a two year coaching stint.

Melrose was accorded the rare feat of being honoured by two clubs in their “best ever” teams. He was selected in Swan Districts official “All Time Great” team and East Fremantle named him in their “Team of the Twentieth Century.” In 2007, the WAFL inducted him into the Western Australian Football Hall of Fame.

Graham Melrose was a top exponent of the art of roving, and in an era of brilliant rovers, was one of the best.