Ray Garby

Recruited from the northern Victorian town of Cohuna, Ray Garby was a dashing half-forward whose VFL career was initially delayed by World War II service. A product of the renowned football nursery Assumption College, he finally arrived at Princes Park in 1946 and quickly established himself as a dangerous attacking threat known for his spectacular high marking and an accurate torpedo punt. Garby possessed a signature ability to feign a kick and spin around his opponent to create space, a trait that helped him boot 123 goals in just 85 games. His crowning moment came during the famous 1947 Grand Final, where he kicked a vital goal in Carlton's one-point victory over Essendon, and he backed up this form by topping the club's goalkicking the following season. Despite his talent, Garby’s league career was relatively brief, as he returned to the country after the 1950 season to manage his family's business and coach local football.