Max Stephenson

A local product deeply entrenched in the St Kilda community, Max Stephenson was the son of the suburb's well-known Police Sergeant, Len Stephenson. He earned his opportunity during a bleak era for the Saints, debuting in 1955 as a mid-sized utility capable of filling various roles. When legendary coach Alan Killigrew arrived in 1956 and famously purged the playing list to rebuild the club's culture, Stephenson was one of the few survivors to be retained, a testament to his character and work ethic. Despite surviving the cut, he found it difficult to cement a position in the starting eighteen, often serving as the 19th man across his three seasons at the Junction Oval. Following his brief VFL career, he followed in his father's footsteps with a long tenure in the police force and remained a dedicated supporter of the club.