Melbourne and the entire football community are in mourning as they bid farewell to the iconic Demons great, Brian Dixon, who passed away at the age of 89. Known for his stellar performances during Melbourne’s dominant Norm Smith era, Dixon was a key player in multiple premiership victories.
A skilled and attacking wingman, Dixon etched his name in the history books by holding the Demons’ games record with 252 appearances—a feat only surpassed years later. Beyond his on-field prowess, Dixon ventured into politics and served as a minister in the Hamer government while representing the seat of St Kilda.
During his illustrious career, Dixon also took on coaching responsibilities with North Melbourne before handing over the reins to legendary figure Ron Barassi. His influence extended beyond football when he played a pivotal role in launching the “Life Be In It
” health campaign—an initiative aimed at promoting an active lifestyle among individuals.
One of Dixon’s significant off-field contributions was identifying mining magnate Joseph Gutnick, whose support proved invaluable to Melbourne Football Club during challenging times. Gutnick’s financial backing revitalized the club after a failed merger attempt, with him serving as president for several years.
Inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame and having represented Victoria on numerous occasions, Dixon’s legacy remains deeply ingrained in Melbourne’s rich football heritage. Celebrated as one of Melbourne’s all-time greats, he earned a well-deserved spot on the wing in the club’s team of the century.
Reflecting on Dixon’s remarkable career, Melbourne president Brad Green praised him for both his sporting achievements and unwavering dedication to the club. Green remarked that “
Brian was a great of our club,” highlighting his profound impact not just within Melbourne but across Australian Rules football.
Renowned football statistician @sirswampthing shed light on some remarkable feats achieved by Dixon during his playing days. Notably, he was recognized as being amongst twenty-one players who had been part of five or more premiership-winning teams—an extraordinary accomplishment indeed.
The passing of Brian Dickson marks not just an end to an era but also serves as a poignant reminder of his enduring legacy within Australian Rules Football. As fans mourn this loss, they will forever cherish memories of a true champion whose contributions transcended sport and left an indelible mark on generations to come.
