Jim Cardwell

James Hector Cardwell (2 February 1916 – 23 December 1996) was an Australian rules football player who served in the Australian Army in World War II. However, he became most well known for his administrative work for the Melbourne Football Club, where he served as secretary for 25 years, was made a life member and was inducted into the club Hall of Fame.

Early life Cardwell was born in Port Melbourne on 2 February 1916. Cardwell was a keen debater in his youth, winning the Victorian Solo Debating Championship twice, in 1934 and 1935.

Playing career Cardwell began his playing career with the CYMS Football Association club North Brunswick CYMS and won their best and fairest award. He also began to increase his work with Melbourne, becoming a selector of the Melbourne reserves team. He then became secretary of the reserves in 1949 and secretary of the seniors in 1951, taking over from A. S. Thompson. Cardwell, along with Albert Chadwick, who became president in 1950, In 1956, Cardwell had a breakdown, due to working two jobs, which required a long recuperation. to search for the very best country football players. Due to his talent for convincing players to sign with Melbourne rather than rival teams, Cardwell was called "The Prince of Secretaries"

Cardwell retired at the end of the 1975 season,

Legacy Cardwell recruited many of Melbourne's premiership greats, including Laurie Mithen, John Beckwith, Frank Adams, Brian Dixon, Athol Webb, Tassie Johnson, Ian Ridley, Bob Johnson and Hassa Mann. He was one of the inaugural inductees into the Melbourne Football Club Hall of Fame in 2001. Cardwell was also made a life member of the Melbourne Football Club in 1960. Ron Barassi named Cardwell as one of his "Top five MFC heroes" in 2008.