Neil Cordy

Recruited from Traralgon in country Victoria, Neil Cordy carved out a significant career as a versatile utility and defender, becoming the first of the famous Cordy clan to make his mark at Footscray. He played alongside his brothers Brian and Graeme at the Western Oval, initially making his name as a lightly-framed but athletic winger who could run all day and take a strong overhead mark. While he was a consistent performer for the Bulldogs, he is perhaps best remembered during this period for a specific duel with Gary Ablett Snr at Geelong; while Cordy kept the superstar relatively quiet for most of the day, he famously became the stepladder for one of Ablett's most iconic "mark of the year" contenders in the goalsquare.

In 1987, Cordy moved north to join the Sydney Swans, a transfer that revitalised his career and saw him reinvent himself as a tight-checking key defender. While the Swans of that era were known for their flamboyant recruits and rollercoaster form, Cordy provided stability in the back half, often tasked with shutting down the opposition's most dangerous forwards. He played nearly 100 games in the Harbour City to bring his career total to 235, earning a reputation for his discipline and longevity. Post-retirement, he remained a prominent figure in the game as a respected football journalist and television reporter.