Sam McMichael

A prominent dual-sport athlete who balanced first-class cricket for Victoria with his football duties, Sam McMichael was already a cornerstone of the Fitzroy side during the VFA era before the breakaway competition was formed. He transitioned into the newly established VFL as a senior figure, earning the significant distinction of captaining the Maroons in their first-ever league match against Carlton in Round 1, 1897, standing in for the injured Bill Cleary. While his VFL career was brief—spanning only the first ten games of the inaugural season without registering a goal—he provided crucial experience and stability to a lineup that would soon develop into a premiership powerhouse. McMichael remains a unique historical figure, celebrated for his leadership during the competition's foundation year and his status as one of the premier batsmen of his generation.