George Beasley

Born in Warrnambool, George Beasley was a gifted all-round sportsman who almost bypassed football entirely to pursue a professional cycling career in the mould of his world-record-holding brother, Jack. After moving to Melbourne and taking a job as a fireman, he was spotted playing for the Fire Brigade team and invited to train with Collingwood, where he established himself as a versatile utility and disciplined defender. Beasley became a key cog in the Magpies' backline during the mid-1920s, holding down key defensive posts in the losing Grand Finals of 1925 and 1926. His career is largely defined by wretched timing; just as Jock McHale’s famous "Machine" was gearing up for its legendary four consecutive premierships, Beasley was struck down by a severe knee injury during a mid-season trip to Perth in 1927. Unable to regain his fitness to partake in the club's golden era, he eventually departed Victoria Park to captain-coach Williamstown, remembered as a reliable contributor who was cruelly denied the ultimate success by his fragile knees.