Noel Price

Noel Price was a clever half-forward flanker who became a vital contributor for Fitzroy during the tumultuous World War II era. The son of former Richmond player Joe Price, he was recruited from Warragul in Gippsland and quickly established himself as a dangerous option near goal, averaging nearly a major per game throughout his career. Wearing the number 22, Price was known for his ability to drift forward and hit the scoreboard, playing as a classic opportunist who could crumb off the packs or lead into space. Like many of his contemporaries, his prime years were interrupted by military service, with Price serving in the RAAF while balancing his VFL duties.

His legacy is defined by his role in Fitzroy's historic 1944 premiership campaign, where he inadvertently became the centre of one of the decade's biggest controversies. In the Second Semi-Final, Richmond star Jack Broadstock was reported for kicking at Price, resulting in a hefty eight-week suspension that almost caused the Tigers to boycott the Preliminary Final in protest. Price recovered to take his place in the Grand Final two weeks later, helping the Gorillas defeat Richmond by 15 points to secure the club's eighth and final VFL flag. He remained a regular fixture in the side until his retirement at the end of the 1947 season.