Teddy Rankin

Teddy Rankin was a foundational pillar of the Geelong Football Club, seamlessly transitioning from a star of the VFA era to become one of the VFL's first premier midfielders. A diminutive rover renowned for his blistering speed and elusive ball-handling, Rankin possessed a durability that was rare for the time, allowing him to shoulder a heavy workload in the midfield while occasionally rotating into defence to quell opposition attacks. His ability to read the play and distribute the ball made him the engine room of the Cats' lineup during the league's formative years, and he holds the distinction of being the first Geelong player to reach the 100-game milestone in the VFL competition.

Rankin's influence at the Pivot extended far beyond his playing statistics. He captained the side with distinction and later served as coach, but his connection to the club was lifelong, eventually seeing him serve as the head curator of Corio Oval for decades. As the patriarch of a famous footballing dynasty that included his sons Bert and Cliff, and later extended to the modern era, Rankin established a standard of excellence and loyalty that remains woven into the club's history. His retirement in 1910 marked the conclusion of a remarkable tenure, cementing his standing as one of the most versatile and committed figures of early Victorian football.