John Benetti

Recruited from CBC Parade alongside his famous cousin Sergio Silvagni, John Benetti burst onto the scene at Princes Park in 1958, polling 12 Brownlow votes in a stellar debut season. Known affectionately as "Tank" for his powerful thighs and uncompromising physical approach, he established himself as a fearless defender who attacked the contest with straight-ahead vigour. He became a fixture on the half-back flank and in the back pocket, playing a key role in the Blues' 1962 Grand Final side and earning state selection for Victoria the following year. While injuries occasionally interrupted his momentum, Benetti remained a combative presence in the Carlton defence until his departure in 1965, leaving a unique legacy as a hard-at-it operator who famously helped build the ground’s Olympic Tyres scoreboard during his playing days.