MICK Nolan, a genial giant who became one of the most popular players in the history of the North Melbourne Football Club, died in Brisbane last night after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 59.

Nolan was a ruckman who had an unusual combination of bulk and subtlety. With a playing weight of more than 120 kilograms, his stomach hung over his shorts. But his deft tapwork to rover Barry Cable played a significant part in the success of the glamorous teams at Arden Street in the 1970s.

Nolan's appeal was his lack of glamour. He was earthy and smiling, and lumbered with good grace his nickname "the Galloping Gasometer". The nickname was derived from the gasometer that stood across the road from the North Melbourne footy ground.

In 1973, Nolan came down from Wangaratta Rovers, having played 100 senior games there. More than once, he missed practice matches in March so that he could return home for the annual duck-shooting weekend on the Ovens River.

Nolan played 100 games at North Melbourne, and was a member of the club's first premiership team in 1975. He missed out on playing in the 1977 premiership team because of a shoulder injury.

Last month, Nolan was diagnosed with a stomach ulcer. Just over a week ago, the diagnosis was changed to pancreatic cancer. He died last night at Princes Charles Hospital in the Brisbane suburb of Chermside, surrounded by family members, including wife Nettie and sons Dale and Danny. His eldest son, Ricky, was to arrive tomorrow from Sweden.

By Paul Daffey

Article first appeared The Age May 28, 2008

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