Doug Baird

Recruited from Paramount, Doug Baird was a promising key forward who graduated through Carlton’s under-19s and reserves to make his senior debut as a teenager in 1969. Standing 188cm, he made an immediate impact under coach Ron Barassi by booting two goals in his first game against North Melbourne, eventually tallying eight goals across six senior appearances. With a regular spot in the powerful Blues lineup difficult to secure during the 1970 premiership era, Baird departed the VFL to pursue lucrative opportunities in the VFA, where he became a premiership player with Brunswick in 1975. He then moved to Tasmania and carved out a distinguished career with Cooee, playing in the club's celebrated 1978 State Premiership and 1982 NWFU flag sides before serving as captain-coach of Ulverstone. While his time at Princes Park was brief, Baird is highly respected in the football and wider community today as an OAM recipient and advocate for veterans' families following the loss of his son, posthumous Victoria Cross recipient Corporal Cameron Baird.