Troy Luff

Recruited from Nelson Bay after moving north from Victoria as a teenager, Troy Luff became one of the Sydney Swans' great survival stories. He entered the system as a NSW zone selection but struggled to cement a regular spot during the club's lean years in the early 1990s. In a testament to his resilience, Luff was delisted and re-drafted twice, repeatedly fighting his way back onto the list when his career appeared over. His fortunes changed dramatically with the arrival of coach Rodney Eade in 1996, who unlocked his potential and transformed him from a fringe dweller into a vital structural player during the Swans' charge to the Grand Final.

Standing 191cm with a tremendous vertical leap, Luff developed into the ultimate utility, capable of playing as a key defender, a pinch-hitting ruckman, or a marking forward. He famously played one of the best games of his career on the biggest stage, booting two goals and gathering crucial touches in the 1996 Grand Final loss to North Melbourne. By the time he retired in 2001, he had shed his early reputation as a depth player to become a genuine cult hero at the SCG, celebrated for his high marking and ability to plug holes wherever the team needed him.