Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame & Legends

History & Criteria

In 2013 at the Club’s 150 year celebrations, an inaugural Hall of Fame, comprising 11 players and one administrator were inducted. Those selected covered periods from 1900 to World War II, Post-War until Fitzroy’s amalgamation with Doncaster, and ostamalgamation. Three of those selected were inducted as Club Legends.

Since that time four further Hall of Fame functions have been held with another 25 inductees into the Hall of Fame, along with another seven Club Legends. On the occasion of the Club’s fifth Hall of Fame function, the Committee decided the time was appropriate to review the criteria used for eligibility, which has resulted in the adoption of the following:

Inductees to the Hall of Fame need to have made a significant contribution to the Club, whether that be on-field, off-field or both. For players, eligibility primarily related to performances for the Club, but also took account of representation at national and state level. In selecting the Hall of Fame and Legend inductees on each occasion, the Committee was keen that each of the three eras used for the inaugural Hall of Fame were recognised.

This was the case again for the fifth Hall of Fame induction.

To be eligible for induction into the Hall of Fame a player:

• Must have been retired from Premier 1st XI cricket for at least 5 years;
• Must have played at least 100 games, including representative games;

In comparing the performances of players over different eras, the committee believed it was important to take into account the varying conditions the players endured, for example, uncovered wickets, different number of games per season, the increase in one-day cricket

and T20 cricket, etc. These factors meant that there should be a range of runs or wickets that should form the basis of consideration over the eras, rather than a single set of criteria.

With that in mind, the Committee used the following to guide its judgements.

• In the case of a batsman, 3500-4000 runs.
• In the case of a bowler, 250-300 wickets.
• In the case of an all-rounder, a balance of runs and wickets that demonstrates a similar level of performance.
• In the case of a wicketkeeper, 150-200 dismissals.
• These figures may be adjusted for a player who made a significant off-field contribution as well.
• Performances at the representative level (State or National)will be taken into account.
• Demonstrated character and conduct in line with the Spirit of Cricket

Those who have made substantial contributions to the Club off the field as administrators, coaches, scorers, etc., may also be inducted into the Hall of Fame. These cases will be evaluated individually by the Committee, taking into account both the level of contribution and

the time period over which it was made.

The Fitzroy Doncaster Cricket Club committee, on the recommendation of the Hall of Fame Committee, may remove any member from the Hall of Fame where it is determined that the inductee has brought themselves or Fitzroy Doncaster Cricket Club into disrepute.

Hall of Fame Inductees

^ denotes elevated to Legend Status

2012-13 Inductees

Elevated to Legend Status: 2023-24

1st X1 career: 1912-13 to 1929-30 (11 seasons; 89 matches). Right arm fast bowler. 360 wickets, average 15.39. 

1st Class Career: Appeared in 281 matches including 22 first-class matches for Victoria, and in 11 Test Matches.

In all first-class cricket captured 1395 wickets, average 20.76 and 2661 runs, average 10.40. In Tests, took 43 wickets at 33.27 and made 116 runs at 16.57

McDonald was one of Australia's greatest bowlers, forming an outstanding opening partnership with Jack Gregory. Named as one of Wisden’s Five Cricketers of the Year in 1922.

Elevated to Legend Status: 2012-13

1st X1 career: 1914-15 to 1936-37 (23 seasons; 167 matches). All-rounder. 6855 runs, average 35.40 with 13 centuries; 542 wickets, average 17.09. Led Fitzroy to its first premiership in 1930-31.

1st Class Career: Scored 2503 runs at 31.28 with 3 centuries, and took 133 wickets at 27.56. Appeared in 54 matches for Victoria and toured New Zealand with the Australian team in 1920-21.

Long-serving Club committeeman and delegate to the Victorian Cricket Association for 39 years. VCA Pennant Committee member for 29years, including 21 as Chairman.

Probably the Club's greatest servant. 

1st X1 career: 1933-34 to 1954-55 (21 seasons; 207 matches). Aggressive right-hand opening batsman. 6602 runs, average 29.21, with 4 centuries.

Captain for 5 seasons between 1948-49 and 1952-53.

Member of 1938-39, 1939-40 and 1953-54 premiership teams.

1st Class Career: 1147 runs, average 38.20 with 3 centuries. Appeared in 20 matches for Victoria and 1 Test Match in 1947 (43 runs at 21.50).

A gifted player whose international career was interrupted by the war.

Elevated to Legend Status: 2012-13

1st X1 career: 1941-42 to 1960-61 (20 seasons; 247 matches)

All-rounder. Middle-order right-hand batsman. 9146 runs, average 36.29 with 19 centuries;

Leg-break bowler. 217 wickets, average 20.98.

Member of 1953-54 and 1960-61 premiership teams.

1st Class Career: Appeared in 40 matches for Victoria.

1970 runs, average 30.78 with 3 centuries and 5 wickets at 65.20

Stalwart Fitzroy player who came close to representing Australia.

Elevated to Legend Status: 2014-15

1st X1 career: 1943-44 (aged 15) to 1956-57 (13 seasons; 104 matches)

Exceptionally talented left-handed batsman. 4044 runs, average 37.10 with 8 centuries.

1st Class Career: Appeared in 306 matches including 64 for Victoria and in 79 Test Matches (1 as captain). In all first-class cricket scored 21,699 runs, average 50.90 with 67 centuries and took 30 wickets at 36.86. In Tests, scored 6149 runs at 48.41 with 21 centuries and took 3 wickets at 40.00. Named as one of Wisden’s Five Cricketers of the Year in 1954.

Fitzroy's greatest batsman.

Elevated to Legend Status: 2016-17

1st X1 career: 1937-38 to 1955-56 (19 seasons; 265 matches). Captain/coach of 1953-54 premiership team. Member of 1938-39 and 1939-40 premiership teams.

Superb wicket-keeper: 265 catches; 170 stumpings.

Right-hand batsman: 2765 runs, average 15.27, with 1 century.

Holds record for most consecutive 1st X1 appearances - 215 - in Melbourne district cricket.

Committee member, VCA delegate and Victorian Selector for many years, as well as President from 1959-61.

Manager, Australian Tours to South Africa (1966-67), West Indies (1973), and Rest of World team in Australia (1971-72). 

Elevated to Legend Status: 2016-17

1st X1 career: 1954-55 to 1967-68 (11 seasons; 95 matches)

Polished right-handed batsman: 3609 runs, average 40.10, with 9 centuries.

1st Class Career: Appeared in 81 matches for Victoria, scoring 6142 runs at 41.20 with 14 centuries and 31 wickets at 41.51. Toured New Zealand in 1959-60 & England in 1964 with the Australian team.

An inspiring captain for 8 seasons. Led Fitzroy to premierships in 1960-61 and 1966-67.

Elevated to Legend Status: 2012-13

1st X1 career: 1957-58 to 1977-78 (21 seasons; 233 matches).

Tenacious pace-bowler & hard-hitting tail-end batsman: 2666 runs, average 14.03; 599 wickets, average 18.60.

Member of 1960-61 and 1966-67 premiership teams.

599 wickets is a Club record unlikely to be surpassed.

1st Class Career: Appeared in 5 matches for Victoria.

153 runs, average 17.20, 15 Wickets at 27.60

Elevated to Legend Status: 2014-15

1st X1 career 1975-76 to 2000-01 (26 seasons; 322 matches)

Prolific left-hand opening batsman. 25 centuries,

12,933 runs, average 42.26.

Member 1993-94 premiership team and Ryder Medallist in the same season.

1st Class Career: Appeared in 67 matches for Victoria, scoring 3976 runs, average 32.86 with 8 centuries.

Holds these Club records:

Most matches - 322

Most runs – 12,933

Highest score – 260no

Elevated to Legend Status: 2023-24

1st X1 career: 1981-82 to 1999-2000 (19 seasons; 253 matches)

All-rounder. Right-hand batsman. 6889 runs, average 30.75, with 7 centuries.

Right-arm medium-pace bowler. 155 wickets, average 29.24.

Century maker and top score (131no) in 1993-94 premiership. Shared record unbroken partnership of 221 with Brendan Joyce.

Club stalwart and current Board member.

1st X1 career: 1989-90 to 2003-04 (15 seasons; 216 matches)

Splendidly consistent left-hand middle-order batsman. 7442 runs, average 39.37, with 12 centuries.

Holds Club record for highest season aggregate - 958 in 2001-02.

Member of 1993-94 premiership team, in which he shared the record unbroken partnership of 221 with Leigh Watts.



Ryder Medallist in 1995-96.

Led the Club to a premiership in 2001-02. 

Following his 1st XI playing career of 70 games for StKilda, 24 for University and 66 for Footscray, has given almost 50 years’ service to the Club, starting in 1965 as Coach for 8 seasons (1965-1973) and Captain of 2nd XI for 5 years (1965- 70), making 2 centuries and winning the 1965-66 batting average.

Served as a Committee member for over 20 years, including as President from 1972-73 to 1983-84.

Chairman of selectors for over 20 years and VCA delegate from 1981-82 to 1990-91. Member of reconstituted Cricket Committee for past 3 years. Manager, Australian U19 Tour of England 1983 and numerous Victorian U19 Teams. A magnificent servant of the Club in many roles.

2014-15 Inductees

1st XI career: Played 77 games from 1934-35 to 1945-46, as an all-rounder. A right hand batsman making 2380 runs, average 30.12 with 4 centuries.

Right hand Fast-medium Bowler: 239 wkts, average 14.61, including 5WI 13 times and 10WM once.

Member of 1938-39 and 1939-40 premiership teams.

First Class career: 58 matches, making 2075 runs, average 29.64 and taking 116 wkts at 33.36 including 5WI on 4 occasions

Member of 1935-36 Touring Team to South Africa.

3 Test matches in 1936-37, making 67 runs, average 13.40 and 9 wkts, average 17.89 with 5WI once.

1st X1 career 1927-28 to 1947-48 (19 seasons; 194 matches)

Genuine all-rounder. Left hand batsman, 3,421 runs, average 23.75 with 3 centuries.

Right hand off spinner, 325 wkts, average 18.35 with a best of 6/18 and 5WI on 12 occasions

Long serving captain, including captaining 2 premierships, in 1938-39 and 1939-40. 

Noted coach of the Club. Later coached South Melbourne.

1st Class Career: Appeared in 20 matches for Victoria from 1932-36.

Elevated to Legend Status: 2019-20

1st X1 career 1964-65 to 1975-76 (12 seasons; 113 matches) 

Right hand opening bowler, 322 wkts, average 17.67, including 5WI 19 times.

Member of 1966-67 premiership team, taking 6/72 in the Final

First Class Career: 44 matches, taking 184 wkts, average 26.72, including 5WI on 12 occasions. Member of Australian Touring Team to New Zealand 1969-70.

4 Tests, taking 12 wkts, average 54.50

Played in the first ODI, taking the very first ODI wicket.

1st X1 career 1955-56 to 1968-69 (12 seasons; 133 matches)

Left hand opening batsman, 4,539 runs, average 32.89 with 8 centuries. Occasional wicketkeeper.

Member of 1960-61 and 1966-67 premiership teams.

1st Class Career: Appeared in 31 matches for Victoria from 1956-63, scoring 1722 runs, average 32.49 with 1 century.

1st X1 career 1977-78 to 1991-92 (15 seasons; 201 matches) 

An all-rounder. Left hand batsman, 4,471 runs, average 26.77 with 3 centuries.

Right hand medium-fast bowler, 176 wkts, average 26.77 including 5WI twice.

Represented Victorian 2nd XI, Australian U19 and Victorian U19 teams.

1st X1 career 1999-2000 to 2005-06 (7 seasons; 126 matches) 

Right hand opening bowler, 266 wkts, average 20.72 including 5WI 8 times and 10WM once.

Right hand batsman, 1544 runs, average 19.06.

Member of 2001-02 premiership team.

Ryder Medallist 2002-03, taking 67 wkts, average 14.62

Became a member of the Club in 1887-88.

In 1890, he was elected to the Committee and through his efforts facilitated the obtaining of extra ground for the laying of tennis courts, extra bowling rinks, the football stand, and the grant of 5 acres of ground at Merri Park, which was subsequently named the William Barr Oval, and was home to the lower XIs until Fitzroy amalgamated with Doncaster CC in 1986.

He was elected President of the Club in 1914, and held that position until 1951, a period of 37 years. In all, he served on the Committee for 60 years, a remarkable record.

He was also a delegate to the Victorian Cricket Association and Chairman of the Ground’s Management Association.

2016-17 Inductees

1st X1 career 1906-07 to 1922-23 (16 seasons; 181 matches)

Right hand batsman making 6242 runs ave. 31.84 with HS 166 (9 centuries).

Also took 72 wickets at 30.2 with a best of 6/33 and 5WI twice. Superb close in fieldsman.

Played 10 First Class games for Victoria, scoring 366 runs at 24.40 with HS 61, and taking 6 wickets at 30.00.

1st X1 career 1956-57 to 1969-70 (13 seasons; 130 matches)

Dashing eft hand opening batsman making 4044 runs ave. 30.87 with HS 132no

(1 century). Right arm leg-spin bowler who took 30 wickets at 27.8 with a best of 3/7.

Superb fieldsman in the covers.

Member of 1960-61 and 1966-67 premiership teams

Played 37 First Class games for Victoria, scoring 1829 runs at 34.50 with HS 136, and taking 9 wickets at 28.22. Vice-captain of Victorian Team for a period.

1st X1 career 1970-71 to 1985-86 (15 seasons; 167 matches)

Wicketkeeper, taking 253 catches and 23 stumpings

Right hand batsman making 1460 runs ave. 14.74 with HS 62.

Also captained and coached the Club in seasons 1981-82 and 1982-83.

Held in such high esteem by the Club and Melbourne University Cricket Club that each contest between the Clubs is played for a Trophy in his name.

1st X1 career 1986-87 to 1995-96 (9 seasons; 73 matches)

Exceptional Wicketkeeper, taking 92 catches and 25 stumpings.

Right hand batsman making 1551 runs ave. 31.02 with HS 128 (3 centuries)

Member of 1993-94 premiership team. 

Played 153 First Class games for SA and Victoria, scoring 4273 runs at 21.58 with HS 166no (4 centuries), and taking 522 catches and 51 stumpings.

Broke record for most number of runs without conceding a bye.

Most dismissals by a wicketkeeper for Victoria.

Equalled Australian FC record of 8 dismissals in an innings.

Captained Victoria 45 times (27 FC) including to a Mercantile Mutual Cup victory.

1st X1 career 1974-75 to 1997-98 (23 seasons; 215 matches)

Left hand orthodox bowler, 250 wkts, average 31.31, including 5WI twice, and bowling average winner 1995-96. Right hand batsman, 1641 runs, average 15.62 with HS 70.

Member of 1993-94 premiership team, taking 38 wickets that season.

Played over 400 games for the Club in all XIs and competitions. Captained 2nd XI for a number of seasons.

Doug Rumble Memorial Trophy winner 1987-88 & 93-94

Secretary of Cricket Sub-committee & Hall of Fame Sub-committee.

1st X1 career 1951-52 to 1959-60 (8 seasons; 51 matches)

Wicketkeeper taking 66 catches and 4 stumpings

Right hand batsman making 581runs ave. 12.10 with HS 69. Captained 2nd XI for several seasons.

Went on to serve on the Committee and in particular as Secretary of the Club from 1963-64 until 1971-72, and from 1974-75 until 1998-99, a total of 34 years, making a substantial contribution over that time. He also served several seasons as Assistant Secretary, and as a Vice-President.

Spent many years as a delegate to Cricket Victoria.

2019-20 Inductees

1st X1 career 1908-09 to 1921-22 (14 seasons; 129 matches), debuting at age 37.

Right hand legspin bowler, 494 wkts, average 16.85, including 5WI 39 times and 10WM 7 times. Won bowling average 5 times (1910-11, 1911-12, 1912-13, 1914-15, 1916-17).

Played 7 First Class games, taking 23 wickets @ 25.21. Made his First Class debut in 1912-13 aged 41yr 106 days, which was the oldest First Class debut at the time.

1st X1 career 1915-16 to 1932-33 (18 seasons; 174 matches)

Right hand legspin bowler, 212 wkts, average 25.26, including 5WI 12 times and best figures of 8/96. Right hand opening batsman, 4571 runs, average 29.68 with HS 183no and 7 centuries. Won batting average in 1924-25 & 1927-28.

Member of 1930-31 premiership team. 

Played 8 First Class games, making 188 runs @ 18.80 and 18 wickets @ 29.88.

Also played 3 times for Australia at baseball in 1925.

1st X1 career 1943-44 to 1959-60 (16 seasons; 157 matches)

Right arm medium pace bowler, 299 wkts, average 17.81, including 5WI thirteen times and 10WM once, Best figures of 9/38. Right hand batsman, 3801 runs, average 24.68 with HS 160no and 4 centuries. Won bowling average 3 times (1949-50, 1951-52, 1958-59). 

Member of 1953-54 premiership team. 

Played 3 First Class games, making 88 runs @ 17.60 and taking 8 wickets @ 20.25.

Also played VFL football for Fitzroy, 63 games from 1945-51. Debuted aged 17.

1st X1 career 1952-53 to 1961-62 (9 seasons; 115 matches)

Right arm fast bowler, 350 wkts, average 14.64, including 5WI twenty times, and 10WM once. Won bowling average 4 times (1953-54, 1954-55, 1957-58, 1959-60). Right hand batsman, 375 runs, average 7.97 with HS 26.

Member of 1953-54 premiership team, winning the bowling average that season.

1st X1 career 1989-90 to 1992-93 (4 seasons; 56 matches)

Right arm fast medium bowler, 150 wkts, average 22.22, including 5WI nine times, and bowling average winner 3 times (1990-91, 1991-92, 1992-93). Left hand batsman, 792 runs, average 19.80 with HS 98.

Ryder Medallist 1991-92, taking 44 wickets and making 302 runs in the season.

Played 46 First Class games for Tasmania, making 462 runs @ 11.84 with HS 70, and taking 161 wickets @ 33.60 with 5WI six times and best of 6/29.

Played 137 games for Doncaster CC as wicketkeeper (189 c, 49 st)

Captain for 2 seasons. Doncaster CC committee for 11 seasons, incl. terms as Secretary & Vice President. Delegate to Sub-district Cricket Association from 1979-80 to 1986-87.

President of Fitzroy Doncaster Cricket Club 1991-2004, which includes 2 Premiership seasons, and the establishment of the new pavilion in 1998.

Cricket Victoria delegate from 1993-94 until 2011-12, and a CV Director from 2000-2013 – a role which included being match referee at numerous MCG matches from 2004-09. Received Life Membership of Cricket Victoria in 2014.

Chairman of Schramms Sports Club for 21 years - whose achievements include the establishment of the new pavilion in 1998, sale of land left to FCC by a Club benefactor, numerous ground improvements including an electronic scoreboard, and lighting upgrade.

Director of Melbourne Stars in Big Bash from 2011 -2019.

Also played 24 1st XI games for Hawthorn-East Melbourne as a wicketkeeper from 1968-69 to 1970-71, making 184 runs @ 11.50 and taking 34 catches and 9 stumpings.

2021-22 Inductees

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2023-24 Inductees

1st X1 career 1895-96 to 1909-10 (103 matches) 3606 runs, average 29.31, including 6 centuries and 18 fifties, and HS 141no. Also 111 wickets average 27.17 with best of 7/93 and 5WI four times. Played 13 First Class games, making 521 runs with HS 118, one century – made in Victorian record 10th wicket partnership of 211 vs. SA. Also 10 wickets average 35.40. Delegate to the VCA from 1904 to 1931, and State Selector for much of this period. Fought hard for the introduction of district cricket in Melbourne and also led the move to acquire the VCA building. The cricket history section of the 1962-63 Centenary Annual Report says “Mat Ellis could be the most phenomenal player in the Club’s history. Winner of five Batting and one bowling averages, the irrepressible Mat was heavily handicapped, one leg being shorter than the other.”

1st X1 career 1925-26 to 1944-45 (16 seasons; 123 matches) A right-handed batsman who made 3907 runs, average 33.68 with HS 172no and 5 centuries. Also took 2 wickets, average 54.50. Won the batting average 3 times (1926-27, 1929-30, 1930-31). Member of 1930-31 and 1939-40 premiership teams. First Class debut at age 18 in 1927. Played 46 First Class games, making 2206 runs @ 33.93, HS 120 and 2 centuries. Took 1 wicket @ 68.00. Named as one of three emergencies for Australia’s Tour of NZ after the 1927-28 season but was not required to play. His final first class games were for The Europeans in the Bombay Quadrangular tournament in 1936-37.

1st X1 career 1946-47 to 1958-59 (13 seasons; 117 matches)

Right-arm pace bowler, 242 wickets, average 19.21, including 5WI seven times. Best figures of 6/17. Also 6/41, including a hat-trick vs. Essendon. Right-hand batsman, 363 runs, average 5.95 with HS 28no. Won bowling average 1950-51.



Played 8 First Class games, taking 25 wickets @ 29.44, with best of 6/85 vs WA, and making 19 runs @ 2.11. Played one game for Tasmania vs. Marylebone Cricket Club, taking 3 wickets (Compton, Hutton, Simpson).

Club coach 1974-80. Also served as an assistant coach for several seasons while the Club had playing coaches.

Also played VFL football for Hawthorn, playing 16 games in 1952 and 1953. 

1st X1 career 1959-60 to 1975-76 (14 seasons; 137 matches) Left hand batsman, making 3494 runs average 25.31, including 5 centuries, HS 129no. Also took 7 wickets average 30.28.

Batting average winner 1971-72.

Captained 1st XI as stand-in for 1 game.

Also served as captain of the 2nd XI and 3rd XI at different periods.

Played in 3 premierships at the Club: 4th XI in 1955-56, 3rd XI in 1957-58 and 1st XI 1966-67

Served on Committee as Club treasurer 1974-77

1st X1 career 1999-2000 to 2017-18 (236 matches) Left hand batsman, 7390 runs, average 36.76 with HS 179no and 10 centuries, 45 fifties. Won batting average 6 times (2004-05, 2005-06, 2009-10, 2011-12, 2012-13, 2016-17). Liddicut Medal winner 5 times (2004-05, 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, joint winner 2012-13)

Member of 2001-02 and 2016-17 premiership teams.

Captained 1st XI 2004-05 to 2007-08 & part 2008-09

Captain/Coach 2010-11 to 2012-13

Coach 2013-14

Played 27 First Class games, making 1252 runs average 25.04 and 6 List A games, making 48 runs at 9.60

1st X1 career 2000-01 to 2010-11 (11 seasons; 161 matches) Right arm pace bowler, 284 wkts, average 24.68, including 5WI four times and 10WM once, Best figures of 6/34. Right hand batsman, 1658 runs, average 15.35 with HS 102no and 1 century. Won bowling average 4 times (2003-04, 2004-05, 2009-10, 2010-11). With J Travaglia holds 9th wicket partnership record of 166 v University (2003-04).

Liddicut Medal winner 2003-04.

Stand-in 1st XI captain at times during 2008-09 season.

Off-field role for several seasons supporting cricket operations and player welfare, including playing a key role in establishing a coaching structure and recruiting Michael O’Sullivan as Club Coach.