Bob Heard

Recruited from VFA powerhouse Preston after a high-profile clearance wrangle, Bob "Lurch" Heard arrived at Victoria Park as one of the tallest players in the league's history. Standing at 202cm, the giant ruckman was immediately recognisable by his ungainly gait and massive size 14 boots, but he possessed surprisingly soft hands and a deft touch in ruck contests. He made his debut in 1970 and found himself on the bench as the 19th man in that year's famous Grand Final loss to Carlton. While he developed into a reliable tap ruckman who could drift forward and hit the scoreboard—booting 32 goals in 1974—he eventually found himself squeezed out of the number one ruck spot by Brownlow Medallist Len Thompson and an emerging Peter Moore.

Seeking greater opportunity, Heard crossed to Richmond in 1976, where he provided valuable service as an experienced big man over four seasons. He added 54 senior games to his tally, often rotating through the forward line to utilise his contested marking, but eventually transitioned into a mentoring role for the club's developing talls. His leadership was rewarded when he captained the Richmond reserves to a premiership in 1977. Heard returned to his original club Preston in 1980, leaving the VFL as a cult figure remembered as much for his towering frame as his effective ruck craft.