Les Hughson

Les Hughson holds a unique place in VFL history as the first player to represent five separate clubs, a journey characterised by persistence and constant movement across the league's inner-suburban venues. Born into a footballing family that included Fitzroy brothers Fred and Mick, he managed only single appearances for Collingwood and Hawthorn in the late 1920s before rebuilding his reputation in the VFA with Preston. He returned to the top flight with Carlton in 1933 as a capable goal-kicking follower and forward, but his tenure was short-lived, crossing to St Kilda midway through the following season. Hughson concluded his nomadic career in 1937 at Fitzroy, where he finally had the opportunity to play alongside his brothers, cementing his status as the ultimate journeyman of the era.