Frank Strawbridge

Recruited from Northcote, Frank Strawbridge was a diminutive rover and forward pocket who seized his opportunity with Fitzroy during the player shortages of the First World War. Standing just 170cm, he relied on his low centre of gravity and ground-level agility to become a consistent contributor for the Maroons, featuring prominently throughout the 1917 and 1918 seasons. His time at the club was highlighted by a role in the 1917 semi-final victory over Collingwood, though he agonizingly missed selection for the Grand Final side the following week. As servicemen returned and the competition normalized in 1919, Strawbridge found himself squeezed out of the senior lineup, managing just four appearances for the season. He subsequently cleared to Prahran in the VFA before extending his football life as a coach in country Victoria and Tasmania, notably leading Longford in the late 1920s.