Australian Football

Paul ‘Molly’ Meldrum commenced with Carlton in 1982 when he managed a couple of senior games but spent the remainder of the season - a premiership season for the Blues, as it turned out - in the reserves. By 1984 he was a regular senior player.

Boasting exceptional stamina and good all round skills Meldrum was comfortable in a variety of positions, though during the first half of his career in particular he was used mainly across half forward. The 1986 and 1987 seasons saw him at the peak of his abilities and he was a key factor in the Blues contesting consecutive grand finals, losing to Hawthorn in the former season, and reversing the result in the latter. He also represented Victoria in both years.

Later in his career Meldrum tended to be used more often as a defender or as a ‘pinch hitter’ off the bench. When he retired in 1992 he had played 158 V/AFL games and kicked 140 goals. He coached Riddell Football League club Bacchus Marsh for a couple of seasons after leaving Carlton.

Author - John Devaney