The Saints began the Roaring Twenties – the post-war period known for its prosperity, wealth and success – with another wooden spoon, their 10th in 21 seasons of VFL.
While successes were few and far between, the red, yellow and black found cause for celebration with the comeback of Vic Cumberland. After a four-year absence, the skilful ruckman returned to football at the age of 43, following three debilitating injuries sustained during World War I.
The wily veteran helped stabilise a divided St Kilda the moment he returned from service, with his wisdom, experience and skill guiding the Saints to one of their two victories for the year. At the time of his return, 29 out of St Kilda’s 36 players had not been born when Cumberland first made his debut all the way back in 1903.
St Kilda readopted its famous tri-colour design by 1922 and returned to form shortly after. The Saints’ instigated another climb up the ladder in the ensuing years and – save for a last-place finish in 1924 – pieced together consistent and competitive football.
Although numerous internal disputes, financial woes and the status as one of the competition’s poorest clubs plagued St Kilda, the players’ commitment to the jumper rarely faltered.
The brilliance of Colin Watson in 1925 saw the well-travelled Saint earn the league’s most coveted individual honour – the Brownlow Medal – and the reputation as one of the best footballers in the land.
Despite his sudden departure at season’s end, St Kilda continued to press the most dominant teams in the league, which had since expanded to include Hawthorn, North Melbourne, Richmond and Footscray.
The Saints hit their strides by 1929, breaking into the top-four to snap an 11-year finals absence. While the year would end yet again in heartbreak, the emergence of a spry youngster from Wagga Wagga would begin a new era for the red, white and black.
His name was Bill Mohr.
