Graham Ion

Graham "Curly" Ion was a skilled forward who established himself at Footscray as a teenager, debuting in 1958 at just 17 years of age. Despite standing only 178cm, he frequently operated as a centre half-forward, using his strong overhead marking and football smarts to compete against significantly larger opponents. He became a vital component of the Bulldogs' lineup during the early 1960s, playing every match of the 1961 season including the Grand Final loss to Hawthorn. His leadership potential was recognised early when he famously captained the side in a match against North Melbourne at just 20 years of age, filling in for an absent Ted Whitten. He also shared the field with his younger brother, Barry Ion, who later found fame as a prominent radio broadcaster.

Ion's VFL career concluded in 1965 after a season interrupted by suspension and injury. He immediately transitioned to country football, where he became a celebrated figure in the Murray and Riverina leagues. He captain-coached Deniliquin to a premiership in 1966, winning the league's O'Dwyer Medal the following year, before going on to coach Turvey Park and Mangoplah-Cookardinia. While his time at the Western Oval was relatively brief, he remains respected as a clever forward who punched above his weight and a successful mentor in regional football.