Quade later became better known as the inaugural coach of the Sydney Swans when South Melbourne relocated to the Harbour City in 1982 and also served the club in various administrative roles.
Quade originally supported North Melbourne, the club that his older brothers Tom and Mike played for.
[3] In 1975, Quade played the first three rounds with South Melbourne then Quade and teammate Jim Prentice both returned to Ariah Park – Mirrool as coach and assistant coach, with the team losing the preliminary final[4] and Prentice winning the SWDFL Gammage Medal.
[5] Quade returned to South Melbourne and won the best and fairest award in 1976 and captained the club from 1977 to 1979, playing mainly as a ruck rover.
When South Melbourne relocated to Sydney in 1982 Quade was their inaugural coach and remained there until thirteen rounds into the 1984 season when a severely bleeding ulcer caused him to resign.