St Kilda has lost a link with its past with the death of Frank Hanrahan on November 20 at the age of 87.

Frank played 17 games and kicked one goal between 1956 and 1958.

He was part of the massive influx of young players in 1956 when Allan Killigrew took over as coach and completely overhauled the senior list, retaining just 16 players from the previous year and adding 27 new recruits. It remains the biggest turnover of any club in League history.

The move laid the basis for a new look side that would subsequently make the finals in 1961 after a long drought and eventually win the 1966 flag.

Frank Hanrahan was recruited from Kyneton and made his senior debut in Round 3 of 1956 against Carlton. He remained on the bench all day, but started on the wing a week later and played five games for the season. Across his 17 games he also lined up in the centre and as a half-back flanker.

Originally he had been pursued by Fitzroy, but Graham Huggins recruited him to St Kilda and in later life Frank would happily recall it as an exciting time for the club. He made lifelong friendships with teammates Allan Jeans, Brian McCarthy and Peter Clancy and in more recent times loved to make his way from his home in Wodonga to attend the annual past player reunions.

As a player he returned to his country club Kyneton in 1959 and would recall in later years “ I should have stayed longer at St Kilda".

He played for Glen Waverley and then Wodonga from 1963 to 1966, was non-playing coach of Wodonga in 1977 and Chiltern in 1978.

Always a keen follower of the Saints, he was always a bright personality who loved his club. 

Vale Saint Frank.