drinan, who served with the royal australian navy during the war, played for st kilda initially as half-back flank then centre half-back before establishing himself as a great full back. won the club's best and fairest twice and was captain for a total of five years (les foote was captain-coach in between drinan's two stints). he wore number 25 and later coached yarraville (in 1961). his older brother jack drinan also played for st kilda.