Club president Paul Fish highlighted the role Kelson had in setting up the Tigers for success before his death three rounds into the 2012 season.

Kelson lured a host of former Merrivale juniors back to the club during his tenure, laying the platform for the premiership the Tigers achieved under Dwyer.

“He was the nucleus of this group, he set it up,” Fish said.

“He recruited the Al Porters, the Claye Cassidys, the Josh Sobeys, the Josh Guineys, these kind of blokes.

“He got them to the club and made them welcome and they’ve hung around. It’s a testament to him really. He set this group up.

“And Karl has brought his little touch to it. He’s done a great job. His touch has been invaluable the way he’s worked with the group now.

“Across the page, it’s taken a couple of years but we’ve finally got there.”

Key defender Todd McLean, who took over as coach after Kelson died, also played up the influence of the well-liked clubman.

“I’ve had a few talks with his brother Jade and (he said) Stephen wrote a list of names he wanted to get to the club and they’re all in here playing,” he said. 

“He got the foundation right and all we needed was a couple of extra recruits to top us up.”

Fish said he “couldn’t be more proud” as Merrivale president. The Tigers also won the reserves football and B grade netball premierships at Reid Oval on Saturday.

“It’s a great club. The work that the players and supporters and committee and sponsors do (is huge),” he said.

“These things are won by the players but the support we get off our committee and sponsors is invaluable to our football club.”

afawkes@fairfaxmedia.com.au