Harry Lever

Recruited from Brighton in the local amateur leagues, Harry Lever became the defensive anchor of the St Kilda side for nearly two decades. He established himself as a reliable fullback who used intelligence and positioning to quell opposition attacks, a vital skill in a team that frequently found itself under heavy pressure. His toughness and commitment to the cause were legendary; most notably, he severed two fingers in a band saw accident on a Friday in 1907 but refused to rule himself out, taking his place on the field the very next afternoon.

Lever's standing at the Junction Oval was cemented when he captained the club to its first-ever Grand Final appearance in 1913. Despite the team's loss to Fitzroy, his leadership helped transform the Saints from cellar dwellers into a competitive unit during the pre-war era. He remained a constant figure through the disruption of the First World War, eventually becoming the first St Kilda player to reach the 200-game milestone. His final tally of 218 matches stood as a club record for half a century, highlighting his durability and importance to the club's formative history.