'Horrific': South Australian footy icon forced to have leg amputated

South Australian football legend Grenville Dietrich has reportedly been forced to have most of his right leg amputated.

According to News Corp, Dietrich is recovering in hospital after two surgeries following complications from a fall in January.

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The 61-year-old kicked 445 goals in 103 games for North Adelaide in the 1980s and twice kicked a century of goals in one season.

The South Australian cult hero had surgery two weeks ago to remove his right foot after circulation issues cut off blood supply.

“I just sat at home and watched my toes turn black after my fall in January’," he said.

But doctors were forced to remove the leg from above the knee in a second surgery earlier this week.

Footy community rallies around Grenville Dietrich

North Adelaide chief executive Greg Edwards said the community is rallying around Dietrich.

“At the moment we are giving him some space to let him recover from what has been some horrific surgery,’’ Edwards said.

“He’s still in hospital so we’ve just wished him all the best, sent him some flowers and let him know that as soon as he’s ready we’ll throw our arms around him and give him all the support he needs from us.

“Everyone at our club loves Grenville, the number of mates he’s got here is ridiculous.

“The footy club is important to him and we look forward to being able to help him as much as we can when he gets out of hospital.’’

Dietrich was the Roosters' leading goal-kicker every year from 1982-86.

He twice surpassed the 100-goal mark in a season, kicking 109 in 1983 and 101 in 1984.

While never playing in the VFL/AFL, Dietrich became a cult hero in South Australia when he led the state to victory over Victoria in 1986, kicking four goals.

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