PLAYER INDUCTEE
Brunswick/South Melbourne/Fitzroy/City, Defender/Ruckman, 1905-28 
- Around 20 games for Brunswick (VFA), 1905-06
- 226 games, 62 goals for South Melbourne, 1907-20; captain 1913-17, 1920
- 8 games for City, 1925 (Captain)
- South Melbourne VFL premierships 1909, 1918
- Represented Victoria vs South Australia, 1919 (Two Games – Captain) 5 games for the NTFA, 1925 (All as Captain)
- South Melbourne coach, 1914-17 (53 Games: 31 Wins, 21 Losses, 1 Draw)
- Fitzroy coach 1922-24; 1926-27 (93 Games: 49 Wins, 42 Losses, 2 Draws)
- City coach (NTFA), 1925 (12 Games: 4 Wins, 8 Losses)
- Brunswick coach (VFA), 1932 (20 Games: 9 Wins, 10 Losses, 1 Draw)
- Fitzroy VFL premiership coach, 1922
- South Melbourne/Sydney Team of the Century (Back Pocket)
- Inaugural Australian Football Hall of Fame Inductee (1996)
Born near Launceston in 1888, Vic Belcher grew up in the Derwent Valley region near Hobart before moving to Melbourne as a teenager. His senior playing career began in 1905 when he joined older brother Allan at VFA club Brunswick.
He quickly impressed observers with his play as a defender, and in 1907 he joined South Melbourne at the approach of club secretary Bert Howson. For the next 14 years Belcher established himself as one of the VFL’s premier ruckmen.
Renowned for his ability to tirelessly ruck all day, Belcher’s approach was tenacious and workmanlike rather than stylish and graceful. A premiership player in 1909, he became South Melbourne/ Sydney’s only dual premiership player until 2012 when he also featured in the 1918 triumph, a game seen by many as possibly his finest hour: in a very tight match, Belcher’s untiring efforts were seen as the difference between the two sides.
His outstanding leadership ability also saw him appointed South Melbourne captain and coach from 1914-17; in this capacity, Belcher made history during the 1912 finals series, when he and Allan became the first brothers to captain opposing VFL teams.
Departing South Melbourne in 1920 after 226 games, Belcher spent a season as a VFL boundary umpire before resuming his coaching career with Fitzroy in 1922, guiding them for three seasons, including the 1922 premiership. He then returned to his home state of Tasmania in 1925, signing as playing coach of NTFA club City after receiving a playing clearance from South Melbourne.
A popular leader with City, his season was cut short by an injury sustained in an intrastate match. Belcher returned to Victoria in 1926, his final involvements in football including two more seasons as coach of Fitzroy, another two years of umpiring, as well as coaching stints with Brunswick, East Brunswick and Old Scotch.
An inaugural Australian Football Hall of Fame inductee, and a member of the South Melbourne/Sydney Team of the Century, Vic Belcher passed away in 1977, aged 88.
