Keith Drinan

Keith Drinan was the definition of a defensive anchor, a stoic full-back who stood tall while his team was frequently under siege. Recruited from local side Balaclava CYMS after serving with the Royal Australian Navy during World War II, Drinan became a fixture of the St Kilda backline during a bleak era for the club. He was widely considered one of the last returned servicemen to play at the VFL level, bringing a hardened, no-nonsense leadership style to the field. While he initially rotated through the flank and centre half-back, he eventually made the goal square his own, renowned for his ability to quell the league's most dangerous full-forwards despite often being overwhelmed by the sheer volume of inside-50s conceded by his midfield.

His standing at the Junction Oval was immense, evidenced by his two Best and Fairest awards (1953 and 1956) and his selection for Victoria on eight occasions. Drinan’s leadership journey was unusual; he became the youngest captain in the league in 1951, was controversially replaced by returning star Les Foote in 1954, and then reinstated as skipper two seasons later following Foote’s departure. Perhaps his greatest claim to fame was his record against the legendary John Coleman; teammates like Neil Roberts later recalled Drinan regularly restricting the Bombers' sharpshooter to just one or two goals—a massive feat in that era. He retired as a revered figure who held the fort during the Saints' leanest years, eventually moving on to coach Yarraville in the VFA.