Eddie 'the Eagle' Edwards was the ultimate underdog at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Canada. Although he came last, the unlikely competitor was the first British Skier to represent the UK in ski-jumping at the Winter Olympics. The performance saw him become a representation of perseverance and effort.
Ahead of 20th Century Fox's release of EDDIE THE EAGLE on April 21, the question is posed - what is footballs equivalent to this famous success story?
The rookie list can be a treasure trove of talent.
They may be the last players selected to a list, with the odds against them in the chances to become a successful AFL player.
However they sometimes become the hardest working and the most determined to prove their worth.
Nick Maxwell is arguably Collingwood’s most successful rookie. After being selected at number 15 in the 2003 Rookie Draft, he was elevated to the senior and made his AFL debut in 2004.
Captaincy, a premiership and All Australian honours followed for Maxwell as he established a remarkable 208-game career.
He wasn’t alone in the category of former rookies finding premiership success in 2010.
The all-conquering Magpies had five other players in the same position when it beat St Kilda in the Grand Final Replay – Jarryd Blair, Alan Toovey, Brent Macaffer, Darren Jolly and Heritier Lumumba.
After 227 games and 149 games in the Black and White, Tarkyn Lockyer would rival Maxwell as Collingwood’s most successful rookie.
In the current crop of players, a trio of upcoming defenders have received their start on the rookie list.
Marley Williams, Adam Oxley and Jack Frost are still in the early stages of their respective careers, but have all graduated from the rookie list.
As the 2016 season draws nearer, Nathan Buckley faces a selection dilemma on who to upgrade from Collingwood’s group of rookies.
A serious knee injury to Matthew Scharenberg in November means the Magpies now have the option of upgrading a rookie onto the senior list.
The only problem is who to choose.
Collingwood has seven rookie listed players on its 2016 list. Three of them – Corey Gault, Josh Smith and Mason Cox – have all displayed strong signs of why they should be the one player upgraded.
Gault ranks second in the competition for the most goals in the 2016 NAB Challenge. His six goals straight follows five majors in Collingwood’s intra-club as he pushes for a promotion in his fourth year on the Magpies’ list.
A foreigner to football just two years ago, 211cm American Cox continues to make strides, while Queenslander Smith greatly impressed during the pre-season before being hit with an ankle injury.
The opportunity has presented itself to all three rookies. One of them could just end up being the next Nick Maxwell or Tarkyn Lockyer.
Thanks to 20th Century Fox, Collingwood is giving Pies fans the chance to win a double pass to attend a special VIP preview of Eddie the Eagle at Village Cinemas Crown with Hugh Jackman. Click here to watch the trailer.
For your chance to walk the red carpet with Hugh and a host of other celebs and sporting personalities on Tuesday March 29, tweet @collingwoodfc and tell us who you think is Collingwood's most successful rookie. Make sure you include #piestrivia in you tweet for your chance to win.
