Dick McCabe

A foundation player who featured in Fitzroy's very first VFL match, Dick McCabe carved out a respectable career across three clubs during the league's formative years. Recruited from Essendon District, the sturdy defender spent two seasons with the Maroons before crossing to a struggling St Kilda outfit in 1899. His leadership qualities were quickly recognised at the Junction Oval, and he was appointed club captain in 1901, shouldering the heavy responsibility of leading a side that frequently dwelt at the bottom of the ladder. He was also known to play under the pseudonym "Dick McKay" in some official records, a relatively common practice of the amateur era.

McCabe concluded his VFL tenure at South Melbourne, where he became a fixture in the backline but ultimately held the unfortunate distinction of playing the most VFL games (148) without a single finals appearance—a record that stood for many years. While VFL premiership glory eluded him, he found immediate redemption after leaving the league, crossing to the VFA in 1907 to anchor Williamstown's defence in their maiden premiership side. He remained involved in the game well after his playing retirement, serving as a boundary umpire and famously stepping in as an emergency field umpire during a match in 1918.