Geoff Cartledge

Recruited from South Camberwell, Geoff Cartledge was a small utility whose football prime was effectively sacrificed for military service during World War II. After enlisting in 1942 and serving as a trooper for four years, he arrived at Glenferrie Oval immediately following his discharge in July 1946, making his VFL debut shortly after returning to civilian life. Standing just 173cm, he joined a Hawthorn side that was largely uncompetitive, and he found it difficult to impact games at the senior level, managing just seven goalless appearances across the 1946 and 1947 seasons. Cartledge remains a typical example of the era's "what might have been" stories, serving as a depth player during the club's difficult post-war transition before drifting out of the league.