Jim Cowell

Recruited from Mentone College, Jim Cowell was a versatile "follower" and goalsneak whose career ended in one of the more acrimonious disputes of the era. He established himself as a reliable contributor for St Kilda over seven seasons, capable of running through the midfield or pushing forward to impact the scoreboard. However, his time at the Junction Oval ended abruptly when he walked out on the club prior to the 1909 season, citing frustration with the team's poor on-field performance and a bitter off-field row regarding a team trip to Tasmania that allegedly cost him his day job. The transfer to Melbourne was messy; St Kilda initially refused his clearance and the VFL intervened to block his selection after just two games. Cowell eventually returned to play five more matches for the Fuchias later that year, but the disruption effectively prematurely ended his VFL career. He retired tantalisingly stranded on 99 senior games, later resurfacing as the coach of VFA club Camberwell following the war.