Melbourne Sculptures | Sporting Heroes

Melbourne has long had an infatuation with Australian sporting culture, and it's a passion that's mirrored throughout our city by the statues and sculptures of our many sporting greats.. some of whom were harder than the stone and bronze that defines them to this day. Here are just some of the statues you'll find that honour our sporting legends, and the stories behind them that inspired many others, earning their place in history, our streets, and also that most sporting of all muscles.. our hearts! Sculptures of Sporting Heroes Jack Dyer [weblink] by Mitch Mitchell, 2003 Located at Richmond Headquarters on Punt Road Jack Dyer, whose actual name was John Raymond Dyer senior (1913 to 2003) was one of football's most iconic figures and Richmond's greatest player and former Coach. Known for his ruthless skills on the playing field, his personality proved nothing but warm when he became the face of football, commentating matches after television's introduction in 1956. The Pathfinder by John Robinson, 1974 Located at Queen Victoria Gardens Unveiled in 1974 by Lord Mayor Cr Whalley, John Robinson's bronze sculpture displays a Hammer Thrower, capturing the energy of the event with great detail in the strained physique of the Olympic athlete. Among Melbourne's many pass times that have come and gone was the fine art of what was known as Stealing the Hammer where people would steal the hammer from the statue, taking the rod from the grasp of the statue's figure. A prank that was taken too far, the recurring theft became such a problem that the hammer is now removed from the statue each evening and replaced in the morning. Phar Lap by Peter Corlett, 1988 Located at Flemington Race Course The statue of racing history's most iconic horse, Phar Lap, was commissioned by the Victoria Racing Club to honour the legendary racehorse and also to celebrate Australia's bicentenary in 1988. Phar Lap became the most well known racehorse in Australia after gaining thirty-seven wins during his time on the track, including the illustrious Melbourne Cup in 1930. With his career finally taking the horse to America for the Agua Caliente race in 1931, Phar Lap's death soon after the event has inspired much debate about whether his death was due to an act of poisoning, either deliberate or accidental. Along with his legendary performance within horseracing, the mystery surrounding his death has seen him become an enduring figure of Australian folklore and sporting history. Corlett's sculpture of Phar Lap is actually ten per cent larger than the stuffed life size body of Phar Lap, which has become one of Melbourne Museum's most popular exhibits. Michelle Payne by Judith Leman 2026 Located at Flemington Race Course A decade after capturing global attention as the first female jockey to win the Cup, aboard Prince of Penzance, Payne's statue was unveiled in front of family, friends and supporters in March 2026. The statue celebrates Payne's remarkable career and the profound impact her history-making ride has had on inspiring greater female participation in racing across Australia and around the world. Created by acclaimed artist Judith Leman and generously funded by philanthropist Lady Marigold Southey AC, the statue joins Flemington's collection of racing greats including Bart Cummings, Roy Higgins, Phar Lap and Makybe Diva. Melbourne Cricket Ground The Birth of Australian Rules by Louis Laumen, 2001 Located at the MCG This sculpture, also known as 'Birth of the Game' and 'The Birth of AFL', commemorates the first recorded Australian Rules match that was held between Melbourne Grammar and Scotch College in 1858. Australia Post Avenue of Legends In 2010, the Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) announced an expansion to the list of sporting statues placed around the MCG precinct in partnership with Australia Post. The Australia Post Avenue of Legends project aimed to place a minimum of five statues in Yarra Park, extending from the Gate 2 MCC members' entrance, up the avenue towards Wellington Parade. The most recent addition of Kevin Bartlett was unveiled in March 2017. Kevin Bartlett Norm Smith John Coleman Jim Stynes Shane Warne Neil Harvey Bill Ponsford Ron Barassi Don Bradman Dennis Lillee Haydn Bunton Betty Cuthbert Dick Reynolds Shirley Strickland Leigh Matthews Keith Miller