Ben Graham

Recruited from the Geelong Falcons with pick 40 in the 1992 National Draft, Ben Graham evolved into a versatile key position utility who served the Cats with distinction across 12 seasons. Initially utilised as a forward and relief ruckman, he eventually settled into a key defensive post where his physical presence and reading of the play proved vital. Graham became renowned for his prodigious left-foot kick, frequently employing the torpedo punt to launch defensive clearing kicks that travelled massive distances, a specific technical skill that would later define his post-AFL career.

His standing at Kardinia Park was cemented in 1999 when he won the Carji Greeves Medal as the club's best and fairest, leading to his appointment as club captain from 2000 to 2002. Leading the side during a difficult rebuilding phase, he maintained high individual standards and represented Australia in the International Rules series before eventually relinquishing the leadership duties to Steven King. Graham played his final AFL game in 2004 before leaving the code to pursue a trailblazing career as an NFL punter, but he remains best remembered by Geelong fans as a loyal 200-game player who bridged the gap between the high-scoring 1990s and the club's dynasty era.