Champion and legend of the North Melbourne football club, Allen Aylett not only had a very impressive career as an Australian rules football, he is remembered as a pioneering administrator that helped build the foundations of the modern game and also helped form the national game we see today.
Aylett played for the North Melbourne football Club from 1953 to 1962, played 220 games, kicked 311 goals and established himself as a talented and tough midfielder. A two-time All-Australian and club captain between 1961 to 1964, Aylett won three consecutive Syd Barker Medals between 1958 and 1960. Aylett was also the first Victorian to win the coveted Tassie Medal as the best player in the triennial state championships. A three-time best and fairest winner for North Melbourne, back-to-back from 1958, he rightfully earnt his place in North Melbourne’s Team of the Century.
After retiring as a player, Aylett had a significant impact on the administration of Australian rules football. He served as the CEO of the North Melbourne Football Club from 1977 to 1998, during which time the club achieved considerable success. He brought in modern sponsorship deals, instigated the club’s grand final breakfast and hired Ron Barassi as coach which led to the club’s first VFL premiership in 1975. In 1977 Aylett, aged 42, was then elected by his peers at rival clubs to head the Victorian Football League. In his 8 years as VFL president, Aylett played a pivotal role in the expansion of the VFL, paving the way for the national competition by leading the formation of the West Coast Eagles and the Brisbane Bears (now the Brisbane Lions) as expansion teams. He was also instrumental in negotiating the transition of the VFL to a national competition, which eventually became the AFL in 1990.
Allen Aylett’s contributions to Australian rules football were recognized and honored when he was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 1996.
Playing career
1952-1964
Games
220
Goals
311
Player honours
- North Melbourne Club best and fairest 1958, 1959, 1960
- North Melbourne Captain 1961-1964
- All-Australian 1958, 1961
- North Melbourne Team of the Century
- Victoria (15 games, 52 goals).
