Fred Baring

Fred Baring was a colossus of the Essendon Football Club during two distinct golden eras, bridging the gap between the pre-war "Same Olds" and the 1920s "Mosquito Fleet." Arriving from East Melbourne, Baring established himself as a versatile powerhouse, capable of dominating the ruck or locking down the defensive goal square with equal proficiency. He famously played under the pseudonym "Adamson" at times to avoid employer scrutiny, but his talent was impossible to hide. His place in Bomber folklore was sealed in the 1912 Grand Final against Melbourne, where the big follower drifted forward to slot the premiership-deciding goal in the dying stages.

While the Great War interrupted his prime, Baring returned to captain the side briefly before reinventing himself as the league's premier full-back. He became the seasoned veteran in the famous 1923 and 1924 back-to-back premiership sides, providing a cool head and physical presence alongside the club's pacy small men. A dual-sport athlete who also represented Victoria in Sheffield Shield cricket, Baring's standing at Windy Hill is undeniable, validated by his selection at full-back in Essendon's Team of the Century.