Bill Strang

Recruited from the border town of Albury, Bill Strang was a versatile key position player who established himself as a potent aerialist for South Melbourne in the early 1900s. Capable of pinch-hitting in the ruck or holding down a key forward post, he saved his finest individual performance for the biggest stage, booting three goals from centre half-forward in the 1907 Grand Final loss to Carlton. Following that decider, Strang stepped away from the VFL for five seasons to establish a business in his hometown, dominating local football before making a surprising return to the Lake Oval in 1913. He proved he had lost none of his prowess during the hiatus, topping South Melbourne's goalkicking in his final season before retiring. Beyond his own on-field contribution, his lasting legacy is his status as the patriarch of a famous footballing dynasty, with his sons Doug and Gordon later becoming premiership stars for Richmond.