A. Stan McKenzie

A snowy-haired World War I veteran from the Western District, Stan McKenzie followed a unique path to the elite level, allegedly earning his first trial after boasting to a friend that he could perform better than the VFL players he was watching from the stands. Initially recruited by Collingwood in 1918, he played nine games as a promising but raw defender before being let go due to the rough edges in his game. McKenzie subsequently became a star in the VFA, first with North Melbourne—where he briefly served as captain-coach—and then with Hawthorn, winning the club's Most Consistent Player award during their final Association years. A rugged, hard-running half-back known for his dash and distinctive white hair, he was a cornerstone of Hawthorn's inaugural VFL side in 1925 and created history that season as the first Hawthorn player selected to represent Victoria.