The Sydney Swans are saddened by the passing of former player Bernie Jeffrey, who has died at the age of 88.

The Royal Australian Navy veteran played four games for South Melbourne in 1956, in a promising career cut short through service to his country.

His son, Stephen Jeffrey, said Bernie’s story is legendary within their family.

“Dad’s love for his Swans was extraordinary in the sense that his career was cut short due to his loyalty to our country,” Stephen said.

“To watch him hold the Swans Premiership Cup during a lap in an army Jeep circling the SCG is unforgettable and heartfelt.”

Nicknamed, ‘Man Mountain’, Jeffrey measured 6’4” and 16 stone in the old scale and was touted as the answer to South’s goal kicking prayers during the early to mid-1950s.

He made his debut against Collingwood in the opening round of ’56. The first-gamer finished with two goals “and had a hand in several others” according to The Argus, despite having Pies’ full-back Jack Hamilton on his tail all afternoon.

Hamilton, with 126 games of experience and who was known as a tough and ruthless defender, shook hands with Jeffrey after the jelly-legged forward marked and goaled with his first kick in league football.

Jeffrey was also a courageous able-seaman who served with the Fleet Air Arm in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) in the Korean War (1951-52) and Vietnam War (1962-73) and the lesser known Malayan Emergency (1950-60) and Indonesia-Malaysia Confrontation (1963-66).

The club extends its deepest condolences to Bernie’s family.