Ray Baxter

Recruited locally from Kingsville, Ray Baxter was a versatile key position talent who made his mark at the Western Oval as a player capable of influencing the contest at either end of the ground. He initially flourished as a forward, leading the club’s goalkicking in consecutive seasons (1959 and 1960) and earning state selection for Victoria while still a teenager. Baxter demonstrated his utility by later shifting to defence, notably holding down centre half-back during Footscray’s 1963 Night Premiership victory. He departed the VFL scene at just 24 years of age to captain-coach Mordialloc in the VFA, but his service to the Bulldogs extended decades beyond his playing days; he returned as a long-serving board member and Vice President, while his son Darren later continued the family connection on the field in the 1980s.