Terry Ogden

Born into football royalty as the son of Essendon great Percy "Butcher" Ogden and brother to Melbourne's Gordon, Terry Ogden initially struggled to step out of the family shadow. Despite showing promise in the Essendon reserves and winning a seconds premiership with Melbourne, the fleet-footed wingman found senior opportunities scarce at the Redlegs, managing just three appearances across two seasons. A move to Princes Park in 1934 proved the catalyst for his career, where his elite speed—evidenced by his victory in the Bendigo Centenary Gift—allowed him to lock down a spot in the Carlton midfield for 15 consecutive games. Tragically, just as he had established himself as a senior regular, Ogden contracted pleurisy in early 1935, succumbing to the illness at age 23 despite a desperate blood transfusion from club secretary Newton Chandler. His loss was deeply felt at Carlton, who subsequently named their Most Improved Player award in his honour for nearly two decades.