September 16, 1993 - Damien Christensen training at Lara Football Club. Photo courtesy of the Bob Gartland Collection.

Vale Damian Christensen - 16 October 1963 to 28 April 2026

It is with deep sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Damian Christensen after a battle with a rare form of cancer. 

Christensen was a former Geelong player and a Geelong Falcons premiership coach, a widely respected individual who did plenty of work for the community and also worked in the police force for many years. 

Damian featured in 17 games for the Cats, making his debut against Hawthorn in 1983 before playing his final game in Round 12 of the 1986 season. 

He started his footballing journey in the North Shore Little League before moving to Lara, which is where he was scouted and then recruited by Geelong. 

During his stint with the Cats, Christensen accumulated an incredible resume at a local level which included a league best-and fairest award in 1986 with St Mary's in the Northern Territory, featuring in two premierships there. 

May 11, 1993 - The Christensen brothers at Lara. Photo courtesy of the Bob Gartland Collection.

Following his tenure at Geelong, Damian then returned to Lara as a playing coach and led the club to consecutive GFL Grand Finals in 1992 and 1993. 

After several years playing across a number of different local competitions, Christensen then took on the coaching role at the Geelong Falcons ahead of the 2000 season. 

He went on to spend six seasons in the position, leading the Falcons to a TAC Cup premiership and nurturing the likes of Gary Ablett Junior and Jimmy Bartel along the way. 

Christensen then led the Box Hill Hawks in the VFL for two years, before returning to the GFL to coach Newtown and Chilwell in 2016, his final coaching role before joining the Victoria Police. 

Damian's brother, Marty is secretary of Geelong's Past Players and Officials Association and played 71 AFL games (69 at Geelong, two at North Melbourne) while his Nephew, Allen played 65 games for the Cats and featured in the 2011 premiership.

We extend our sincere condolences to the Christensen family. Rest in peace Damian.