Bob Pratt

Recruited from Mitcham, Bob Pratt burst onto the VFL scene with South Melbourne in 1930, quickly establishing himself as the premier forward of his generation during the club's celebrated "Foreign Legion" era. An athletic and spectacular high mark, Pratt changed the way the position was played, relying on his ability to soar over packs and convert from long range rather than just using physical strength. His zenith came in 1934 when he booted a record 150 goals in a single season, a feat only ever equalled by Peter Hudson, cementing his status as a devastating offensive weapon who frequently outscored entire opposition teams on his own.

Pratt's career trajectory was significantly altered by misfortune and global events, most notably a bizarre accident involving a brick truck just days before the 1935 Grand Final which ruled him out of the premiership decider. After a brief and controversial departure to the VFA and subsequent service in the RAAF during World War II, he returned to South Melbourne for a final stint in 1946, though his physical dominance had naturally waned. Despite a career interrupted by war and injury, he retired with an extraordinary average of over four goals per game and remains an inaugural Legend in the Australian Football Hall of Fame, widely regarded as one of the greatest full forwards to ever play the game.