Rod Vernon

Recruited from East Brunswick YCW, Rod Vernon was a local lad in the truest sense of the term. Standing at 191cm, he developed into a versatile ruckman and utility player who became a key structural component of the Fitzroy sides that contested finals in 1958 and 1960. While superstars like Kevin Murray headlined the era, Vernon was part of the "youthful arm" of the club that revitalised the Lions in the mid-1950s, providing a reliable contest in the air and the ability to drift forward and hit the scoreboard when required.

Vernon’s connection to the Brunswick Street Oval extended beyond the boundary line, as he famously owned and operated a milk bar directly across the road from the ground. This unique proximity birthed one of the era’s most enduring local legends: when Vernon lined up for a set shot at the Western End, the faithful crowd would urge him to "kick it through his own window." A one-club player who gave a decade of service to the Lions, he remained a beloved figure at Fitzroy long after his retirement, eventually being honoured with Life Membership.