Barry Lawrence

Recruited from Longford in Tasmania, Barry Lawrence arrived at Moorabbin in 1969 as a mature-age recruit who had already established himself as a star in the NTFA. Initially utilised as a spectacular high-marking forward, Lawrence possessed an uncanny leaping ability that allowed him to make an immediate impact on the scoreboard. However, his career was defined by a tactical switch engineered by Allan Jeans in 1971, where he was moved to full-back to utilise his athleticism in defence. This positional change transformed him into one of the premier defenders of the 1970s, capable of both intercepting the ball and shutting down the competition's most dangerous key forwards.

Lawrence's standing in St Kilda history is largely anchored by his performance in the 1971 Grand Final against Hawthorn. With legendary goal-kicker Peter Hudson threatening to take the game away in the first half, Lawrence was switched onto him and kept the Hawk goalless for the remainder of the match, a defensive feat that nearly secured a premiership for the Saints. While injuries hampered his later years, eventually leading to his retirement in 1976, he is remembered as a versatile big man who successfully transitioned from a high-flying spearhead to a disciplined defensive anchor.