Les Hill

Recruited from the Carlton Brewery football team, Les Hill was a stoutly built defender whose VFL career spanned the tumultuous years of World War II. After commencing with Collingwood, where he struggled to hold a regular senior spot but featured in the club's 1940 Reserves premiership, Hill crossed to Fitzroy in 1941 and found greater continuity as a backman. He became a defensive fixture for the Maroons during the war-affected seasons, using his solid frame to contest possession and clear the ball from danger. Despite playing 52 games for the club, Hill's timing was unfortunate; he managed only three appearances during Fitzroy's historic 1944 premiership season and missed out on the Grand Final side. He finished his three-club league tenure with a brief stint at North Melbourne before departing Melbourne to captain-coach Terang in the Western District.