Fred Heifner

Recruited from the local Richmond Districts side after earlier football in Bendigo, Fred "Fritz" Heifner established himself as a rugged and physically imposing follower during the Tigers' golden era of the early 1930s. He was the definition of a team-first player, renowned for using his powerful frame to protect the club's smaller playmakers and acting as an on-field mentor to a young Jack Dyer. Heifner was tasked with teaching the future "Captain Blood" how to handle the physical rigours of VFL football, a role that cemented his status as a key enforcer within the squad.

Heifner’s career coincided with a period of immense success for the club, playing in three Grand Finals and tasting ultimate success as a member of the 1932 premiership side, where he kicked a goal in the Grand Final win over Carlton. His time at Punt Road ended on a controversial note; after playing exactly 100 games, he was suspended for four weeks following an incident in the 1935 Preliminary Final against Collingwood, missing the Grand Final loss that followed. He subsequently left the VFL to captain-coach Cananore and later Ulverstone in Tasmania.