Jim Stewart

Recruited from local side Kensington Juniors, Jim Stewart was a promising talent whose career was tragically cut short just as he was establishing himself as a senior regular. He initially bided his time in the seconds, where his dominance was recognised with the club's reserves Best and Fairest in 1939. By 1940, Stewart had broken into the senior side as a permanent fixture, using his 182cm frame to provide a reliable contest and hit the scoreboard as a half-forward. His development peaked in 1941 when he played 16 games and won North Melbourne's Most Consistent Player award, appearing ready to become a key leader for the club. However, just weeks before the 1942 season, Stewart fell suddenly ill with appendicitis and died following surgery at the Royal Melbourne Hospital aged just 24, leaving the Shinboner faithful wondering what heights he might have reached.