Bill Young

Hailing from Stratford in Gippsland as a 25-year-old mature-age recruit, Bill Young was a reluctant but highly sought-after country star who became an instant sensation at St Kilda. Arriving in 1956 as part of coach Alan Killigrew’s ruthless list overhaul, Young defied his slender 179cm frame to dominate as a full-forward, relying on a prodigious vertical leap and sharp football intelligence to outmark larger opponents. He achieved the rare feat of topping the VFL goalkicking in his debut season, a record he held at the club for five consecutive years during a lean era for the Saints. Renowned for his accuracy and often credited as a pioneer of the "banana" kick, Young retired after just six seasons to serve as an assistant coach under Allan Jeans, cementing his legacy as one of the club's most efficient and natural forwards.