Charlie Ricketts

Originally from Geelong, Charlie Ricketts established himself as a champion rover in the VFA with Richmond before crossing to South Melbourne to test himself at the highest level in 1906. A clever, composed midfielder renowned for his precise stab-kicking and tactical nous, he quickly became one of the VFL's premier on-field leaders. His crowning achievement came in 1909 when, at just 24 years of age, he was appointed captain-coach and led South Melbourne to its first-ever VFL premiership. Despite this historic success, his relationship with the South committee was often volatile; he was surprisingly stripped of the captaincy the following season, reinstated in 1912 to lead them to another Grand Final, and then denied the role again in 1913.

Frustrated by the internal politics at South, Ricketts requested a clearance back to Richmond, who had since joined the VFL, where he served as a senior leader and eventually non-playing coach during the early war years. His career appeared over after a lengthy hiatus from the field, but he made a remarkable return in 1921 to serve as captain-coach of St Kilda. Though his playing stint with the Saints was brief, Ricketts holds the rare distinction of having coached three separate League clubs, leaving a legacy as one of the era's most astute football minds.