Frank Caine

Known as "Silver" due to his prematurely greying hair, Frank Caine was a dynamic forward who played a crucial role in Carlton's first golden era under Jack Worrall. Recruited from the North Melbourne Juniors, he quickly established himself at Princes Park as a dangerous option near goal, combining the agility of a rover with the overhead marking strength of a key position player. Caine was pivotal in the Blues' 1906 and 1907 premiership victories, leading the club's goalkicking in the second flag year with his accurate boot and match-winning sense. However, his tenure at Carlton ended in controversy; amidst the internal politics and player unrest that plagued the club following the 1909 season, Caine was one of several stars to exit, spending the next two years in the VFA with North Melbourne.

He returned to the VFL in 1912 with Essendon, immediately proving he had lost none of his ability by topping the Same Olds' goalkicking list in his debut season at East Melbourne. While he played in a less dominant side compared to the Carlton powerhouse of his youth, he remained a consistent and reliable avenue to goal for three seasons. Caine retired having successfully bridged the gap between a ground-level crumb gatherer and a marking target, leaving the game as a dual premiership player with a formidable strike rate in front of goal.