Lloyd Hagger

Recruited from local side Barwon, Lloyd Hagger wasted little time establishing himself as one of the premier forwards of the 1920s. A high-flying marker who was deceptively mobile for his size, Hagger was renowned for his ability to slot goals from acute angles and his constant chatter on the field. He was a central figure in Geelong's golden era, briefly assuming the captain-coach role in 1924 before handing the reins to Cliff Rankin the following season to focus purely on his playing duties—a move that paid immediate dividends.

Hagger’s 1925 season remains his crowning achievement, where he spearheaded the attack to claim the League goalkicking title and played a vital role in Geelong’s premiership victory. His toughness was legendary; representing Victoria against Western Australia in 1924, he famously refused a stretcher after being knocked out, staying on the ground to kick seven goals in a narrow win. Beyond his on-field exploits, Hagger left an indelible mark on the club's identity as a professional cartoonist, credited with sketching the original black cat mascot that became synonymous with the team.