Australian Football

Idolised and indeed immortalised among St Kilda fans for his feat in kicking the winning behind in the 1966 VFL Grand Final against Collingwood, Barry Breen would be worthy of a prominent place in the club's annals even were it not for that unique accomplishment. A product of Mentone Juniors, he was a highly effective and damaging centre half forward for much of his career, and later an equally successful defender, Breen was the quintessential clubman - honest, hard-working, and utterly loyal. He played 300 VFL games for the Saints between 1965 and 1982, kicking 308 goals. He topped St Kilda's goal kicking list with 35 goals in 1970.

A VFL interstate representative, Barry Breen had the honour of captaining the Saints in 1979. In 1983 he was appointed playing coach of Balmain and was successful insteering the Tigers to their first Sydney Football League Grand Final since 1916. However, they lost to East Sydney. Crossing to North Shore as captain-coach in 1984 he managed to get his side to three successive Grand Finals, but only the second of these, against Campbelltown in 1985, produced a premiership.

After his playing career was over, Breen served as general manager of the Sydney Swans. He is a member of both St Kilda's and Balmain's official 'Teams of the Twentieth Century'.

Author - John Devaney