Brian Dixon

Recruited from Melbourne High School, Brian Dixon became one of the defining figures of the Demons' golden era under Norm Smith. His path to the club was not straightforward; he originally harboured ambitions to play for St Kilda and even lived with his grandmother to qualify residentially, but after the Saints showed little interest, he was zoned to Melbourne. He quickly rose from the Thirds to the senior side, though his early career is often remembered for a harsh lesson in discipline: he was controversially dropped for the 1955 Grand Final after defying Smith’s orders to not play in a university match on the eve of the finals, costing him a premiership medallion.

Dixon responded to the setback by becoming a fixture on the wing, renowned for his elite fitness and professional running background which allowed him to grind opponents into submission. While his kicking was sometimes described as functional rather than stylish, his courage and ball-winning ability were unquestioned, earning him the 1960 Best and Fairest and the 1961 Tassie Medal as the best player at the interstate carnival. He eventually secured five premierships with the Demons and holds the unique distinction of serving as a Member of Parliament for St Kilda while still an active player. He retired as the club's then-games record holder and was later named on the wing in Melbourne's Team of the Century.