Earlier this year, North Melbourne announced its top 150 players of all time, as the club celebrates its 150th anniversary.

In the coming weeks, North Media will be profiling members of the top 150; from the most recent generation, featuring Brent Harvey, Ben Cunnington and Scott Thompson, right back to the very early days of the club, and the likes of Johnny Lewis, Charlie Cameron and Jim Adamson.

This time we take a look back at North’s first Brownlow Medallist, Noel Teasdale.

RELATED: The top 150 of all time | 150 Anniversary Hub

A courageous ruckman with the trademark padded headband, Noel Teasdale was North Melbourne’s earliest Brownlow Medallist.

After tying with Ian Stewart in the 1965 Brownlow count, Teasdale originally finished as a runner-up after a countback.

But after a changing of the rules in 1989, Teasdale was deservedly awarded a retrospective Brownlow Medal.

1965 was also the first year that Teasdale wore his recognisable padded headband, on the advice of doctors after he suffered a nasty head clash with teammate Ken Dean, which kept him in hospital for several days. 

Teasdale (centre) runs out in his padded headband.

The number 2 was one of the finest big men of his area, and his remarkable consistency saw him win a record four club best and fairest awards in a row from 1963-1966. 

And it wasn’t just North which appreciated Teasdale’s qualities, with the ruckman representing Victoria on 19 occasions.

State selectors knew how good Teasdale was. 

Teasdale also captained North from 1965-1967, before he was appointed captain-coach of Woodville in the SANFL. 

The brilliant ruckman and occasional defender kicked 71 goals in 178 games for the Kangaroos, but his list of accolades has continued to grow since he retired. 

Teasdale was named in the North Melbourne Team of the Century in 2003, and in 2008 he was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame.