Grand Final tragedy as AFL great Greg Parke dies at 73

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AFL legend Greg Parke, 73, has died just hours before the 2021 AFL grand final
Parke played for both Melbourne Demons and Western Bulldogs in his career
The squads square off in Saturday night's decider from 7.15pm (AEST) in Perth

By Andrew Prentice For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 03:33 EDT, 25 September 2021 | Updated: 05:27 EDT, 25 September 2021

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AFL great Greg Parke has died just a few hours before seeing two of his former teams compete for premiership glory in the 2021 Grand Final.

The former Melbourne Demons and Western Bulldogs player passed away on Saturday morning aged 73 following a reported long illness.

Centre half-forward Parke began his storied career with the Demons, making his debut in 1968 and booting 169 goals for the VFL club.

In his time with the Demons, Parke was famous for wearing his iconic number 26 guernsey as well as his elite marking skills near the goal square.

He then joined Footscray - now known as the Western Bulldogs - in 1974 after an attempt to join SANFL side South Adelaide was blocked at the time.

AFL great Greg Parke (pictured) has died just a few hours before seeing two of his former teams compete for premiership glory in the 2021 Grand Final

Greg Parke has the rare honour of representing both clubs from the 2021 AFL grand Final - the Melbourne Demons (pictured left) and the Western Bulldogs

Parke kicked 35 goals in 23 games in his maiden year with the Bulldogs as they finished in the top five and shocked many by playing semi-final football.

He is also one of just seven players to have made at least 30 appearances each for the Demons and Bulldogs.

Before retiring in 1977 with 274 career goals to his name, he enjoyed further stints with Fitzroy in the VFL and South Australian club Norwood.

The 2021 AFL Grand Final between the Demons and Bulldogs starts at 7.15pm on Saturday (AEST) from Perth's Optus Stadium.

Minor premiers Melbourne, who will start favourites, are chasing their first flag since 1964.

Luke Beveridge's team last won a premiership in 2016, when they stunned the Sydney Swans at the MCG after finishing the regular season in seventh spot.

This year they finished fifth and have beaten Essendon, Brisbane and Port Adelaide in the finals in recent weeks to progress to the big dance.

The showpiece match was shifted away from Melbourne due to the ongoing Covid-19 lockdown in Victoria.

It was the same story in 2020, with the Gabba in Brisbane hosting the historic first ever AFL night grand final, won by a Dustin Martin inspired Richmond against Geelong.