Ian Gillett

Arriving at the Lake Oval in 1951, Ian "Heap" Gillett quickly established himself as a versatile big man capable of imposing himself in the ruck or holding down a key position in attack. Standing 188cm, he was a powerful marking target who possessed the mobility to impact the scoreboard, a trait highlighted when he topped South Melbourne's goalkicking in 1953. His consistency and influence were perhaps best illustrated in 1955 when he claimed the club's Best and Fairest award, notably edging out teammate Fred Goldsmith in the same season Goldsmith won the Brownlow Medal. His standing in the game was such that opposition star Roy Wright once rated Gillett among the top five ruckmen he had ever played against.

Gillett's leadership qualities saw him appointed captain in 1956, a role in which he delivered a unique slice of history for the club. That season, he skippered the side to victory in the inaugural VFL Night Series premiership, defeating Carlton in the final to secure the first ever night flag. After 135 games in the red and white, he left the VFL at the end of 1958 to take up a captain-coach role with Coolamon in the Riverina, where he immediately steered the club to a premiership in his first year at the helm.