Geoff Raines

Recruited from Swan Hill, Geoff Raines established himself as the premier centreman of the VFL during the late 1970s and early 1980s. A silky mover with exquisite balance and a penetrating kick, he was the engine room of the Tigers' 1980 premiership side, securing three Jack Dyer Medals in a four-year span to underline his dominance. His departure from Punt Road remains one of the most infamous transfer sagas in league history, as he became the headline act of the aggressive recruiting war between Richmond and Collingwood. He crossed to Victoria Park in 1983 for a then-astronomical fee, a move that caused significant friction between the two powerhouses and signalled the end of an era for the Tigers.

While his time at Collingwood yielded solid individual performances, the club's financial instability saw him move to Essendon for a brief, unmemorable stint in 1986. Raines found a second wind as a foundation player for the Brisbane Bears, where his experience and class were vital for the fledgling interstate club. He capped his career by winning the Bears' inaugural Best and Fairest in 1987, retiring as a definitive figure of his era and an Australian Football Hall of Fame inductee. His footballing lineage continued through his son, Andrew, who played 129 AFL games for Richmond, Brisbane, and Gold Coast.