Val Marchesi

Born into a family with strong Italian roots in Goornong, Val Marchesi (pronounced "Markayzee") arrived at the elite level from South Bendigo with a reputation for speed and skill. He made an immediate impact at Geelong in 1922, where his dash and clean ground work as a half-forward drew favourable comparisons to Collingwood star Bill Twomey. Despite playing 15 games in his debut season, Marchesi crossed to Essendon the following year, joining the club right as they entered their famous "Mosquito Fleet" era. He featured seven times in 1923, including a semi-final appearance against South Melbourne, but could not force his way into the premiership side that eventually lifted the flag later that campaign. After adding just one more senior game in 1924, he departed the VFL to play in the VFA, though his family name would later return to prominence through his sons, Gerald and Peter, who both played for North Melbourne.