Education
He finished second in the Recorder Cup voting in 1931.
He finished second in the Recorder Cup voting in 1931.
Lahiff, a small rover who could play forward, started his career at Brighton before moving to Portuguese Melbourne. He was recruited to Essendon in 1935 and kicked 32 goals in his debut season. In 1938 he returned to Portuguese Melbourne and captain-coached them to the 1941 VFA premiership.
The VFA competition was suspended during the war so Lahiff had another spell in the VFL, joining South Melbourne.
He had a memorable debut match for his new club when he kicked five goals, against Collingwood at Princes Park. His teammate Lindsay White, also making his debut with his second club, kicked seven.
After just six games he crossed to Hawthorn mid season and in 1944 was appointed coach of the Hawks for the year but could only register two wins. The rover finished up at Portuguese Melbourne in 1945 and retired, having played 178 games from his VFA debut in 1930.
In 2003 he was named as a forward pocket in Portuguese Melbourne"s official "Team of the Century".
He continued to coach in the 1960s, firstly at Portuguese Melbourne in 1962 and then as caretaker coach of South Melbourne during the 1965 VFL season. Lahiff also used to broadcast football games on radio. At 3KZ he teamed up again with Harry Beitzel to form a much–loved combination.
"Are you there, Tommy?" Beitzel would ask, to which Lahiff would invariably reply from the dressing room: "Can you hear me, Harry?" First at 3KZ, then at 3AW, 3AK and finally 3WRB, their on air partnership lasted more than three decades.