TWENTY years go, St Kilda historian Russell Holmesby documented his top 20 Saints of all time. Before the days of social media and comment streams at the foot of online articles, the list wasn't as widely publicised as it would have been in today's world.
Since then, the Saints have played in four Grand Finals and produced some of the greatest players of the modern era, leading Holmesby to extend his list by five.
This is Russell Holmesby's top 25, ranking number one.
Click HERE to view the ORIGINAL top 20.
Click HERE to view players ranked 25-21.
Click HERE to view players ranked 20-16.
Click HERE to view players ranked 15-11.
Click HERE to view players ranked 10-6.
No. 5: Nick Riewoldt
No. 4: Robert Harvey
No. 3: Darrel Baldock
No. 2: Tony Lockett
1. Ian Stewart (1)
Born: July 14, 1943
Debut: Round 1, 1963
Games: 205
Goals: 80
Height: 180cm
Weight: 78kg
One of the game's greatest ever footballers. He joined the Saints without any fanfare and the shy Tasmanian even purchased his own training guernsey rather than ask for one. He was totally fearless and his style of marking while backing into a pack became a trademark.
He suffered a bad knock in his first game, but was able to battle on. He soon moved from the wing to take over the centre role from state man Lance Oswald. Other clubs became aware of his great talent and he was frequently a target.
TRADING PLACES: The first of its kind
The secret of his game was immaculate balance and perfection in foot passing. Whether cornered in a pack or clear of his opponents, Stewart was always able spot a teammate further afield and land a pass on his chest. Most of his passes found his skipper and fellow Tasmanian Darrel Baldock with whom he formed one of football's great partnerships.
The pair seemed to sense each other's moves and had perfect football harmony. Stewart won the club's best and fairest in 1964 and surprised the football world when he won the 1965 Brownlow. Twelve months later there was no surprise when he won another Brownlow to cap a year in which he won All-Australian selection, was club best and fairest and was one of the best afield in the flag win.
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Stewart was made skipper in 1969, but stood down after a year and before 1970 he did not train with the club for several weeks. Although he came back to the fold he had an unhappy year and at the end of the season he was swapped sensationally with Billy Barrot. At Richmond he continued to play brilliantly and won his third Brownlow in 1971 and also collected the club best and fairest.
He combined brilliantly with another Tasmanian Royce Hart. Because of injury he started on the bench in the losing 1972 grand final side, but played in a premiership side in 1973. He retired in mid 1974 and was briefly talked out of it for a few games in 1975.
Stewart coached South from 1976-77 then took on the Carlton coaching job briefly before a shock resignation and returned to the Swans as coach from 1979-81. He later took up a managerial role at St Kilda to complete the full circle.
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Ian Stewart played 123 games for St Kilda from 1963-1970.
