Garry has been an influential figure in the football world across five decades as a player and media expert. His opinions help shape the game's narratives from week to week across multiple media platforms.
Garry’s football journey began in the small town of Kyabram in northern Victoria. His father Peter had played for Hawthorn in the 1963 Grand Final but Garry was tied to Melbourne under the zoning rules of the day, and what a pick up he proved to be for the Demons.
He was a constant shining light for Melbourne fans throughout his 14-season career with the Dees, many of which were lean years for the club. But the club was on the up when he arrived on the scene in 1986 as a classy young forward who had an immediate impact on a team that had been in the finals wilderness for 22 long years.
In his first season he kicked 26 goals, followed by 28 in his second season as Melbourne were heading for finals footy, only for Garry to suffer a broken leg in the final home & away game as the Dees went on to fall painfully short of a Grand Final.
In 1988 Garry returned in fine style, booting 40 goals during the season to underline his enormous promise, as the Dees went one step further and made their first Grand Final appearance since 1964.
A natural leader, he was elevated to the Melbourne captaincy in 1991 at just 23 years of age and it proved to be an inspired choice as Garry led his beloved Demons with pride and passion for the next seven seasons.
By the mid-90s he was in his prime, collecting three consecutive All-Australian selections from 1993-95. He lit up the competition with 79 and 77 goals respectively in 1994 and 95, including a virtuoso 10-goal haul in the 1994 Semi Final against the Bulldogs.
It wasn’t just his impressive numbers that captivated the Melbourne faithful, it was the way he put his body on the line, played through injury, put the team on his back when it needed a lift and rallied his teammates.
Garry retired in 1999 after 226 games and 426 goals. A dual Best & Fairest, he was honoured with selection in the Club’s Team of The Century and inducted in to its Hall of Fame.
Garry’s remarkable media career began early in his playing days as the host of Seven’s popular children’s TV program AFL Squadron, before a 23 year association with the Nine Network which saw him play various key roles (including the host) of iconic program The Footy Show for many years.
Garry remains a significant and respected AFL media identity with significant roles with the game’s two most passionate and consistent mediums – TV’s Fox Footy and Radio station 1116SEN hosting breakfast.
At Fox, Garry sits on footy’s most important piece of furniture as an On The Couch panellist. The Monday Night staple combines Garry’s key strength; in-depth analysis, strong opinions and a sense for the game’s big stories. These traits also see Garry play a pivotal role in Fox Footy’s AFL match day coverage.
Whether it’s from within the stadium or the studio, Garry gives footy fans a unique insight in to what’s happened and what’s likely to come.
His deep love of the game also shone through in a successful four-year stint as coach of Australia’s International Rules team between 2001-2004. An emotional series win on Irish soil in the wake of the Bali Bombings in 2002 was followed by a drought-breaking series victory in Australia the following year.
Writing is also part of Garry’s repertoire, having worked extensively as an AFL columnist for Melbourne’s two major daily newspapers; The Age and Herald Sun. Garry also co-authored the successful children’s book series Specky Magee.
A polished host with a passion for rural Victoria, sport and men’s health, Garry is also a sought after keynote speaker and MC.
In 2024 Garry was ranked 7th in the Australian Talent Index’s results of most likeable (TV and radio) breakfast presenter – and the first ranked among sports presenters. He is also a two time winner of the ACMA Alf Brown Award for Most Outstanding Media Performer of the Year.
