Des Baird

Recruited from Sunbury, Des Baird was a tall follower whose career was defined by "almost" moments and high-stakes drama. He began his tenure with South Melbourne, where he struggled to cement a spot in a formidable lineup; while he missed selection for the club’s 1909 premiership side, he earned a recall the following week to play in the Championship of Australia victory over West Adelaide. After crossing to St Kilda in 1912, Baird established himself as a key ruckman and forward, eventually playing a central role in the club’s historic run to the 1913 Grand Final against Fitzroy. He is best remembered for a decisive moment in that match: after kicking a crucial goal to spark a last-quarter comeback, Baird infamously chose to handball to a teammate rather than taking a shot at goal in the dying minutes, a decision often cited in football folklore as costing the Saints their maiden flag. His VFL career ended abruptly midway through 1914 when he moved north to play for Paddington in the NSW league, where his short stint was marred by eligibility protests and a violent semi-final that required him to flee the field under police protection.