Former Geelong player and Geelong Falcons premiership coach Damien Christensen has lost his battle with a rare cancer.
Christensen, who went public earlier this year after being diagnosed with extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (eCCA), died on Tuesday afternoon, surrounded by his immediate family.
eCCA is a cancer of the bile ducts that forms outside the liver, leading to blockage and symptoms like jaundice, itchy skin, weight loss, and abdominal pain.
Christensen played 17 games for the Cats between 1983-86 before becoming a highly regarded coach at VFL, Talent League, and local levels.
After starting his football journey in the North Shore Little League, Christensen was recruited to Geelong from then-GDFL club Lara.
He made an impressive debut in Round 11, 1983, kicking three goals and gathering 22 disposals as the Cats upset eventual premier Hawthorn by seven points at Princes Park.
The midfielder played a further four games in his first season, but only one in 1984 due to injury and two in 1985 after being unable to break into Tom Hafey’s team.
Christensen played nine consecutive games in the first half of 1986 under John Devine, but he suffered a serious hamstring injury mid-season and didn’t return to the top level, joining SANFL club West Torrens in 1987.
During his time at the Cats, he also played in the Northern Territory with St Mary’s, winning the Nichols Medal as league best-and-fairest in 1986, featuring in two premierships, and representing the NTFL twice.
Christensen also won a best-and-fairest with VFA club Werribee in 1989 before rejoining Lara as playing coach in 1990 – its second season in the GFL – and guiding the Cats to consecutive grand finals in 1992-93.
Lara was the first of his former clubs to pay tribute.
“Damian has been a valued part of our football community since 1979, contributing as a player, captain and coach,” a Facebook post said.
“His dedication and passion for the club have left a lasting impact that will not be forgotten.”
AFL Barwon said: “He will be remembered as a valued contributor to the Geelong region as a coach, player and mentor who gave so much to football and the wider community.”
After a season with Hampden League Camperdown in 1994, he captain-coached Williamstown in 1995 during a tumultuous time in the Victorian state league, helping to keep the Seagulls alive.
Christensen returned to the GFL in 1996 with St Joseph’s, taking Joeys to the 1997 grand final, where North Shore beat them in a high-scoring decider after leading at three-quarter time.
Christensen took on the Geelong Falcons role ahead of the 2000 season, and he spent six years in the position.
He led the Falcons to their second TAC Cup flag in his first season with a team featuring future AFL greats Gary Ablett Jnr, Luke Hodge, and Jimmy Bartel.
Christensen then took charge of VFL outfit Box Hill Hawks for two years in 2006-07.
“During his time with the Club, Damien played a significant role in the development of AFL talent,” Box Hill posted
“Future Hawthorn AFL Premiership heroes such as Max Bailey, Lance Franklin, Stephen Gilham, Jordan Lewis and Jarryd Roughead all represented Box Hill under his coaching.
“He played a big part in the football journey of Sam Gibson, Ben McGlynn and Cam Pedersen, who all went on to significant AFL careers after being drafted from the Box Hill Hawks.”
His final senior coaching role was with GFNL club Newtown & Chilwell in 2016, stepping down after one year due to a change in his role with Victoria Police, from which he retired in late 2023 after a 35-year career, reaching the rank of inspector.
“He brought his experience and passion to our club as assistant coach in 2015 and senior coach in 2016, leaving a lasting impression on those he worked with,” a statement from the Eagles said.
Christensen played several games for Geelong alongside his brother Marty.
Nephew Allan also played for Geelong and was part of the Cats’ 2011 premiership team before finishing his career with the Brisbane Lions.
Damien Christensen was 62.
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