Billy King

Recruited from Middle Park, Billy King established himself as a premier wingman for South Melbourne during the turbulent 1940s. Known for his pace and evasive skills rather than scoreboard impact, he became a fixture in the centre line and played a pivotal role during the club's notable wartime campaigns. His most high-profile appearance came in the infamous 1945 "Bloodbath" Grand Final against Carlton, where he occupied the wing in a match overshadowed by its extreme physicality and on-field violence.

Despite the disappointment of that premiership loss, King continued to perform at a high level as the league transitioned out of the war era. His consistency was rewarded in 1947 when he won the club's Best and Fairest award, cementing his status as one of South Melbourne's most reliable contributors of the decade. He retired at the end of 1948 as a distinguished one-club player who had provided skill and stability through a distinctively rugged period of VFL history.