Allen
Here, big ruckman Bill Allen – who later served as Club doorman - is portrayed in the 1922 Magpie cigarette cards, issued by J.J. Schuh Tobacco Co.
Bickford
This 1951 Kornies (whole wheat flakes – the breakfast of champions) card shows premiership player George Bickford in ‘action’. This series of cards was issued with an accompanying album.
Biffin
A rugged character, this shot of Ray Biffin in pre-logo days was taken at training, part of the 1973 Scanlens set. With the reverse of the cards making a jigsaw, and a stick of bubble gum accompanying, Scanlens cards could be purchased in milk bars, newsagencies and the like.
Chadwick
These distinctive tartan edged cards – this one portraying Club legend Albert Chadwick – were issued by the McIntyre company in 1922.
Cordner
The Argus newspaper provided these colourful cards – six for each team – as part of a voucher redemption scheme.
Ditterich
Scanlens dominated the footy card scene during the 1970s – this shot of Carl Ditterich was taken at training for the 1976 issue, and the entire collection had a scene from the 1976 Grand Final on the back.
Healy
A helmeted Greg Healy appears in this Stimorol (took over from Scanlens) generated card of 1991. This was also notable for being the last season for issue of ‘gum’ cards.
Lyon
This Lyon mark from 1993 appeared in the Cazaly Classics series of 1994, honouring the greatest marks to be caught on film.
Lilley
Only able to be dated as pre-1925, this detailed photo of defender/centreman Charlie Lilley was part of the ‘Portraits of our leading footballers’ series, another in the series of Magpie cigarette cards, from J.J. Schuh Tobacco Co.
McKenzie
A striding half forward of the 1940s and 1950s, Bob McKenzie was part of the 1954 Argus card issue, which saw real life head shots of VFL stars being superimposed on cartoon bodies and playing ground settings.
Ogden
A back pocket player between 1928 and 1937, Gordon Ogden is portrayed here on a rare set of cards from 1928, known as the ‘Nutty Bar’ cards, which were issued by the Hoadley confectionery company.
Parke
Renowned for his marking, Greg Parke played for Melbourne between 1968 and 1973. In 1969, he was included in this caricature set, which were primarily to be found in Twisties packets.
Rodda
One of the best rovers of his time, Alby Rodda was included in the first issue of Kornies cards in 1948. These were the same size as cigarette cards of the day, and were designed to be placed in an album.
Schwarz
In 1996, the card market was booming thanks to the AFL’s Centenary. David Schwarz appeared in the first of two series issued by Select at the time, complete with a player biography on the back.
Viney
In 1994, a bandanna clad Todd Viney was one of the stars of this Select company issue of cards, which were accompanied by Legends cards, as well as gold plated cards, to complement the standard range.
Young
Charlie Young was a stalwart of Melbourne’s early VFL seasons, uncanny near goal, and more than handy in the centre. Shown here in 1904 in one of the lace up guernseys of the era, Young is part of the first Standard Cigarette series of cards.
Zantuck
In his second year at Melbourne, Shane Zantuck featured in the 1982 Scanlens issue of cards, with the back of the cards providing a Grand Final jigsaw and a check list for each team.
