Phil Maylin

Originally from South Australia, Phil Maylin was a standout for Woodville in the SANFL before being recruited by Carlton ahead of the 1980 season. Arriving as a seasoned mature-age player who had already captained his state league club, he wasted little time establishing himself in the VFL. Maylin became a vital component of the Blues' dominant early-80s lineup, utilising his explosive pace and two-sided skills to feature prominently in the back-to-back premiership triumphs of 1981 and 1982. His standing at Princes Park was highlighted by a runner-up finish in the 1982 best and fairest, a significant achievement in a premiership year amidst a midfield boasting names like Ashman, Buckley, and Fitzpatrick.

A tenacious utility who could play as a ruck-rover or running defender, Maylin eventually fell out of favour at Carlton and transferred to Footscray for the 1985 season. He brought crucial finals experience to the Bulldogs, slotting into a team on the rise and playing a key role in their run to the 1985 Preliminary Final. Although his stint at the Western Oval was brief, he is remembered as a courageous ball-winner who never took a backward step. After his VFL days concluded, he cemented his reputation as a football leader by captain-coaching Springvale to a VFA premiership, though his legacy remains defined by his instrumental role in Carlton's golden era.