Darren Cuthbertson

Recruited from local club Epping, Darren Cuthbertson worked his way through Melbourne's Under-19s—where he won a Best and Fairest—before announcing himself to the AFL world with one of the most explosive short-term bursts in league history. In a blistering three-week patch during the 1991 season, the high-marking forward booted 19 goals, including back-to-back bags of seven against North Melbourne and Collingwood followed by a haul of five against Brisbane. Standing 185cm with strong hands and natural goal sense, he briefly looked like the Demons' next superstar spearhead until the sudden emergence of the eccentric Allen Jakovich largely overshadowed his presence in the forward line. Unable to recapture that electrifying early form or successfully transition into a defensive role, Cuthbertson drifted out of the senior side and was delisted at the end of 1993, remaining a cult figure among Dees fans for his brief but brilliant cameo at the top level.