Trevor Barker

Barker was recognised for his skill and courage at the end-of-season awards; he won the first of two club Best and Fairest awards and was St Kilda's best representative in the Brownlow Medal count, polling 21 votes to finish equal 13th with 's Rod Ashman and 's Kevin O'Keeffe.

Trevor Graeme Barker (7 October 1956 – 26 April 1996) was an Australian rules footballer who played for the St Kilda Football Club in the Victorian Football League (VFL).

One of the VFL's pin-up boys with his teen-idol appearance, blonde hair and suntanned skin, "Barks" was one of the finest high-marking players of his era; and, although of slight build, his skill and athleticism were matched by raw courage and competitiveness.

More than any other player before or since, he was the living embodiment of St Kilda's club motto Fortius quo fidelius (strength through loyalty), staying with his beloved club through the toughest period in its history despite receiving better offers from other clubs.

After his early death from cancer at the age of 39, St Kilda honoured Barker's memory by naming the club's best-and-fairest award in his name.

In February 1966, Barker's five-year-old sister, Katrina Margaret, died from complications caused by a congenital heart condition.

According to Barker's mother, the grief of losing his younger sister remained with him his whole life.

Barker followed in his father's footsteps, playing football for Cheltenham and winning three consecutive club best-and-fairest awards: in 1972 in the Under-16s/17s team, and then in 1973 and 1974 with the Under-18s.

Barker grew up barracking for the St Kilda Football Club.

Barker's boyhood dream was fulfilled when the Saints recruited him for the 1975 VFL season.

After playing just one game in the reserves, Barker was selected on the half-forward flank for his senior debut in the Round 2 match against at Moorabbin Oval, wearing the number 25.

After an even first quarter, in which St Kilda captain Barry Lawrence kicked four goals, Hawthorn took control and eventually won comfortably by 40 points.

Barker had a respectable 15 touches and was named among St Kilda's best players in The Age on the Monday following the game.

Barker would play a further 17 games for the season to cement his place in the senior team, averaging 14 disposals a game in his first year.

Club Champion, Brownlow Medallist, and Premiership Player Ross Smith had served as assistant coach upon returning to St Kilda in 1975, was senior coach for the 1977 VFL season.

Barker averaged 14 disposals per game, amassed 70 marks, and 71 free kicks for.

He kicked four goals in the Round 17 match against Hawthorn.

In the 1976 VFL season, which was Allan Jeans' last season as St Kilda coach, Barker was moved to defence.

He was often matched on larger opponents, acquitting himself superbly in just his second season.

Excited by the challenge, Barker's athleticism, courage and competitiveness throughout the season was obvious.

Averaging 12 disposals a game, he relentlessly placed himself in position to challenge his opponents, his courage rewarded with 49 free kicks by the field umpires during the season, conceding just 13 for the year.

After his standout season in 1976, Barker changed to the number 1 jumper he would forever become synonymous with at St Kilda FC.

For the 1978 VFL season, Ross Smith was replaced as coach by former Richmond player Mike Patterson.

After successful recruiting, the Saints began the season strongly, with Barker being played more in a midfield-forward attacking role.

The Saints were in second place after seven rounds on 5 wins and one draw with a fast paced high-scoring line-up.

Barker kicked three goals three times in the first 7 rounds.

His ability to play mid-forward punctuated by 29 disposals and 3 goals in the Saints win over Melbourne in Round 6.

After a high scoring first quarter which gave the Saints a 17-point lead, the team went on to amass 126 points by half time.

The game ending in a 63 point win to St Kilda in a still club record score of 31.18 (204).

St Kilda's season faltered mid-season, with six losses in a row followed by a close 3-point win over second placed North Melbourne.

Barker collected his first ever 30 disposals or more game against Melbourne in Round 17.

The team rebounded to win four of the next five games to sit just outside the top five, separated from fifth-placed Geelong by only two premiership points courtesy of their draw against Richmond in Round 3.

In Round 22, the Saints hosted at Moorabbin, the standings suggesting St Kilda needed a win and Fitzroy to defeat Geelong to play Finals.

The Saints put in one of their finest displays in recent seasons, thoroughly outplaying the Blues in front of a packed Moorabbin crowd to win by 40 points.

Barker racked up 28 disposals and 2 goals, and was listed among St Kilda's best afield.

St Kilda finished the season an underwhelming 6th.

Barker was the Saints leading disposal winner for the season, racking up 493 disposals to go with his 87 marks, 23 goals and 92 free kicks for.

He was posthumously inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2019.

Barker was one of two children born to Jack and Norma Barker.

His father was also a footballer, playing over 300 games for the Cheltenham Football Club, winning two club best-and-fairest awards, and once finishing runner-up in the league best and fairest.