Footyinfo

Paul Meldrum

Carlton

AFL career

158 games140 goals

Debut
R15 1982 v MEL3 July 1982
Most recent
R5 1992 v SYD18 Apr 1992

Stats

1992
CAR
2
3.0
1.5
4.5
0.0
0.5
0.0
0.0
0.5
0.0
16
1991
CAR
17
10.2
8.0
18.2
2.5
0.9
0.8
1.2
0.3
0.5
59
1990
CAR
11
12.0
6.4
18.4
3.5
0.7
1.1
0.8
0.4
0.4
62
1989
CAR
11
12.2
5.6
17.8
2.1
0.7
1.9
1.3
0.5
0.5
57
1988
CAR
18
11.1
6.2
17.3
4.1
1.2
0.9
0.9
0.4
0.6
63
1987
CAR
20
8.8
6.7
15.5
3.3
1.3
1.6
0.7
1.1
0.7
56
1986
CAR
25
11.4
6.1
17.5
4.2
1.0
1.5
-
1.3
1.0
-
1985
CAR
23
12.8
6.4
19.2
4.2
1.3
1.3
-
1.0
0.8
-
1984
CAR
23
10.6
5.7
16.3
3.2
1.2
2.4
-
1.3
0.8
-
1983
CAR
6
8.8
6.7
15.5
3.2
1.2
2.3
-
1.2
0.5
-
1982
CAR
2
10.0
6.0
16.0
1.5
1.0
4.0
-
0.5
2.0
-
League
Season
SYD
PP
R5
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0.0
0
NTH
MCG
R4
6
3
9
0
1
0
0
0
1.0
31

Profile

Born
13 Sept 1960 (age 66y 44d)
Birthplace
London, United Kingdom
Height
182 cm
Weight
90 kg

Teams

  • 158 games, 140 goals
    1982–1992

Honours

  • Premiership1987
  • Goal of the Year1983
  • Brownlow Medal
    3rd
    1987
    Top 10
    1986

Recruited from Maryborough, Paul Meldrum developed into one of the league's most effective two-way runners during Carlton's successful era in the 1980s. Known affectionately as "Molly," he was a distinct figure on the field, often characterized by his relentless endurance and ability to run opponents into the ground. While he initially lacked the polish of some teammates, Meldrum's work rate made him an invaluable asset in the Blues' midfield, peaking in 1986 when he won the John Nicholls Medal as the club's best and fairest and earned All-Australian selection.

A key member of the 1987 premiership side, Meldrum balanced defensive accountability with an ability to hit the scoreboard, contributing 140 goals throughout his tenure. He revolutionised the role of the tagger by hurting the opposition offensively, forcing his direct opponent to chase him rather than simply playing a negating role. Although injuries hampered his output in the latter stages of his career leading to his retirement after the 1992 season, he remains a cult figure at Princes Park who maximized his natural athletic gifts to become a premiership player.