Jason Heatley

In the years following Tony Lockett’s departure, St Kilda fans were crying out for a full-forward to complement Stewart Loewe in the front half. After two years as a fringe player on West Coast’s list, Jason Heatley returned to his native Victoria and instantly became one of the most loved Saints.

Heatley’s first season with St Kilda saw him boot 73 goals as he played a key role in taking the team to an unexpected Grand Final. His strong leading and dead straight set shot kicking made him a favourite of not only St Kilda fans but also Channel 7 commentator and legendary full forward Peter McKenna who heaped the kind of praise on Heatley that would normally be reserved for the likes of Lockett, Jason Dunstall and Gary Ablett.

 

Fraser Gehrig

There are select criteria for the title of cult hero and the ability to kick goals while sporting an unusual haircut make Fraser Gehrig a lock for one of St Kilda’s five greatest cult heroes.

Like Heatley, Gehrig arrived from West Coast and was used in a few different roles before settling in as full-forward. He became only the second St Kilda player after Lockett to win a Coleman medal when he saluted in 2004 and 2005. Adding to his status as a cult figure was his long, flowing mullet haircut and a reputation for being one of the strongest players in the AFL. He famously once bench pressed 172.5 kilograms and when challenged by Olympian Daley Thompson to a “strength off” on a training camp in London, the two finished even.

 

Austinn Jones

Again, coming back to Tony Lockett’s departure at the end of 1994, St Kilda supporters were crying out for a new hero. Among the many recruits they secured in the Lockett trade was a zippy undersized wingman from Berwick dubbed “Little Aussie” who instantly became a darling of the St Kilda faithful. Jones weighed just 66kg when he ran out for the Saints in the 1995 pre-season competition and along with fellow draftees Joel Smith and Tony Brown, embodied the new generation at St Kilda. Jones went on to be a two-time All-Australian and finished with 226 games – which at the time had him 11^th on the St Kilda games tally. His running goal in the 1997 Grand Final remains one his most enduring highlight.

Con Gorozidis

With the nickname “The Golden Greek”, Gorozidis was a hit in the early 80s at Moorabbin, particularly after a bag of five goals in his second VFL game in 1981. Gorozidis played just the 29 games and kicked 64 goals in a three-year stint at the Saints. He never quite reached his potential and finished his career with a season at Footscray where he added another five games and 10 goals to his tally. Was widely considered to be a star in the making but for some issues with application and dedication. Nonetheless, he was remembered fondly by the Saints faithful. Gorozidis and little brother George went on to become legendary figures in local football and cricket circles in Melbourne’s bayside area for more than two decades after his VFL career came to a close.

 

Geoff Cunningham

Throughout the early to mid-1980s, it was generally accepted outside the confines of Moorabbin that Trevor Barker was the only genuine star at St Kilda. But those who watched the Saints closely throughout that tough time were well aware that there was a tough, hard wingman who flew the flag for the red, white and black week in, week out. Cunningham was a regular Victorian representative from 1981 to 84. His ruthless approach to the ball and the man with the ball made him a crowd favourite. The slightly insane glint in his eye and variations of facial hair meant he would not have looked out of place in a Western and ensured that he will forever remain a St Kilda cult hero.