Collingwood's team for the ages
 Collingwood's Team of the Century featured 22 of Australian football's greatest ever players.
B: Harold Rumney - Jack Regan - Syd Coventry
HB: Billy Picken - Albert Collier - Nathan Buckley
C: Thorold Merrett - Bob Rose - Darren Millane
HF: Des Fothergill - Murray Weideman - Dick Lee
F: Phonse Kyne - Gordon Coventry - Peter Daicos
Foll: Len Thompson - Des Tuddenham - Harry Collier
Int: Tony Shaw - Wayne Richardson - Marcus Whelan - Gavin Brown
GORDON COVENTRY
1901 – 1968
Career span: 1920-1937
Games: 306
Goals: 1299
Position: Full Forward
Honours: Leading goalkicker 1922-1937; Copeland Trophy 1933; 3rd Copeland Trophy 1934; Life member, VFL leading goalkicker 1926-1930, 1937; 25 state appearances for 100 goals
Playing stats: 183 cms, 85 kgs
112 goals in finals (still a record)
The career of Gordon ‘Nuts’ Coventry is monumental, epic. It is no accident that a player of his calibre was present when the Magpies won their famous four consecutive premierships, for such great eras are built around great teamwork, but always involve ground-breaking individual champions.
The interesting thing about Coventry was that he was not a brilliant, fast, or spectacular player. But he sure could kick goals. Recruited from Diamond Creek in the Heidelberg league, where he had just played in a losing Grand Final, Gordon was racked with self-doubt about his abilities and whether he wanted to play in the VFL. But one way or another he was convinced to continue playing until he was hooked.
Coventry’s main assets were ‘a strong physique, a vice-like pair of hands, superb judgement, a steely determination and a great Collingwood team, into which he fitted perfectly.’*
He was immovable, even described as flat-footed, and didn’t stray too far from the goalsquare, using his hard body to hold his ground and his superb judgement and marking to gain possession, more Hudson than Ablett.
He was able to fend off opponents, keeping his arms extended in front of him in order to grab the footy without a huge leap.
He was a team oriented full forward, who often made room for small forwards. Along with great marking ability he had great accuracy when kicking for goal. At first, he hated wearing football boots, and when he did, he kept the same pair for much of his career. They became legends in their own right, gnarled relics that attracted taunts from opposing fans. They were sacred objects to adoring Collingwood fans.
Gordon remained a quiet country boy and it took him along time to gain the confidence to do his talents justice. It was 1925 before he came into his own, shrugging off criticism that he was lazy and inconsistent. His laconic style meant he rarely paid attention to the buffeting he received from opponents.
The only aberration in this came in his second last season, 1936, when he was reported for retaliating against players who had been hitting painful boils on the back of his neck. The resulting 8 week suspension caused a furore, costing him a game in what would have been his sixth premiership. He retired, but thought better of it, and won the league goal-kicking in his final season, for the sixth time.
As Collingwood expert Michael Roberts puts it, Gordon Coventry achieved his amazing record with ‘a humility and modesty rarely seen in football…he was a warm, gentle man who was loved by all who knew him – a reaction that would have been the same had he never kicked a football…’
Luckily for the Collingwood Football Club, kick a football he did.
Most of us have missed out on the experience of Gordon Coventry’s personality, but the enormity of his contribution to the Collingwood football club can be guessed at by looking at some more of those records:
First player to kick 100 goals in a season.
Kicked 50 goals or more in a record 13 consecutive seasons.
Held the record for the most career goals until 1999.
Once kicked 17 goals in a match, a record until 1947
He played in five premierships, including the famous four in a row 1927-30
*Thanks to Michael Roberts, author of ‘A Century Of The Best: The Stories of Collingwood’s Favourite Sons’
GAVIN BROWN
1967-
Career span: 1987-2000
Games: 254
Goals: 195
Position: Utility
Honours: Collingwood captain 1994-98; Copeland Trophy 1989, 1994, 1997; Member 1990 premiership team; All Australian 1989, 1991, 1994; Victorian captain 1997; EJ Whitten Medal 1989, 1997; Goals: 194; Premiership matches: 254; Finals Games for Collingwood: 9; State of Origin Games: 11
Gavin Brown was one of the great players of the modern era, giving new meaning to the word 'courage'.
A fearless and inspirational player, who started his career on the wing, but held down key positions throughout 254 games for the Magpies.
He played a major part in the 1990 Premiership campaign, was appointed captain in 1994 and secured his position as one of the all time greats at Collingwood winning two Copeland Trophy medals and captaining Victoria in 1997.
His performances when played out of position were legendary. He kicked five goals in the first half of the second semi final in 1990 and during the year kicked as many as seven goals in games when played as a key forward.
In the 1990 Grand Final, he memorably returned after being knocked out, inspiring the Magpie Army and teammates by immediately confronting the opponent who king hit him, then snapping a crucial goal.
If Gavin had been left to play the majority of his career on the wing, he would undoubtedly have gone down as one of the greatest to ever grace that position. His dominating efforts for Victoria, when playing his natural position, attest to his class as a winger.
At first a skinny, almost shy kid, Gavin was always modest and low key, but he grew into the fiercest of competitors, who played hard but fair and had the admiration of all his peers across the competition.
THOROLD MERRETT
1933-
Career span: 1950-1960
Games: 180
Goals: 148
Position: rover/winger
Playing stats: 168cm, 59kg
Honours: Copeland Trophy 1958, 1959; 3rd Copekland Trophy 1952; vice captain 1960; committeeman 1977-1982; Life member
For many years one of the most popular shopping trips for any young sports lover was to a Merrett Hassett shop. Lindsay Hassett had been a much loved captain of the Australian test cricket team.
But this being Melbourne, the other name in the title of the franchise was just as famous. Collingwood star Thorold Merrett’s profile was just as big.
Incredibly, one of the best players of the 1950s came to play league footy on a whim of instinct. When Thorold was in Melbourne playing country week cricket, seeking out opportunities with the Collingwood cricket club, eagle eyed Magpie official Gordon Carlyon asked ‘Do you also play football?’ It was the question which eventually led to Thorold's brilliant career with Collingwood.
With a namesake at Richmond, Thorold was initially keen on the Tigers, but when Jack Dyer rejected him because of his small stature, the door was open for Collingwood. His coach at Cobden was ex-Magpie Jack Murphy, and his recommendation was enough for the Magpie heriarchy.
Whippet thin, there were fears for Thorold’s safety in the rough and tumble of VFL footy. But as a 16 year old, seven weeks into his career, after playing four of the first six games in the reserves, came the day when he assured the football world he would make an impact. Playing half forward at the Western Oval, Thorold unleashed a succession of unstoppable pass to Bill Twomey, who ended up with 11 goals. It was the first exhibition of what would become his trademarks - legendary stab passing, reckless courage and extreme pace.
Famously, the sports-mad Merrett had honed his skills in Cobden by kicking an old ball through a tyre on a tree. Like Bradman’s famous practice sessions with a cricket stump and the side of a water tank, this rustic grounding proved invaluable.
A left-footer, Merrett often looked a class above his rivals, diving into packs, spinning out and delivering perfect passes to team-mates further afield.
Given his fearless style andtiny build, it was a miracle that he didn’t suffer more serious injuries, but those he did suffer had a big impact – he missed most of 1954 with a broken leg and had his career ended at 26 when his other leg suffered a nasty break.
Having just won consecutive Copeland trophies, it may have been a premature retirement, for he felt fit again in 1961. However his burgeoning business and media commitments had taken hold of his time.
Thorold was a committeeman between 1977 and 1982, when the Magpies were so close to the ultimate success. In his time as a player, he had been there for the 1953 and 1958 premierships. He is now one of the members of the selection committee for the Collingwood Hall of Fame.
Style, class, courage…Thorold Merrett’s name stands for these things. No wonder the youth of Melbourne wanted to buy his company’s products!
HAROLD RUMNEY
Hall Of Fame Collingwood Legends #3 Harold Rumney
1907-1987
Career span: 1927-1935, 1937
Games: 171
Goals: 28
Position: half back/back pocket
Honours: Copeland Trophy 1931; Austral trophy 1930; Best First Year Player 1927; Life Member; premiership player 1927, 1928, 1929, 1930, 1935
Playing stats: 171 cms, 76 kgs
Harold Rumney was a captain of Collingwood Tech and barracked for the Pies, but was residentially tied to Carlton, where he played 15 games as a half forward.
Dropped after two games of 1926, the 19 year old followed his brother’s advice to cross to Collingwood, where he made an immediate impact as a small forward, kicking 19 goals in 17 games. He won a hat for being named Best First Year Player.
Despite his success up forward, the selectors tried Harold in a number of positions in the next season, before settling him as a back flanker. Known as ‘Dasher’ to the fans, Rumney quickly gained a reputation as one of the best defenders in the game.
After playing a key role in each of the four consecutive premierships, Rumney gained state selection in 1930 and reached his peak with a remarkable 1931, when he became the first person without the name Collier or Coventry to win the Copeland Trophy.
A fitness freak who competed in athletics events during summer, Rumney’s pace was his main asset, enabling him to match it with the league goal-sneaks, and his determination saw him match much larger opponents.
His adaptability gave rise to the story that he could have been the forerunner of the ‘ruck-rover’ position when he was put on to the ball against Richmond in the late 1920s.
Later in his career, he played alongside the ‘prince of full backs’ Jack Regan, helping form the backline behind yet another premiership, in 1935.
After leaving to coach Northcote in 1936, he returned to Victoria Park and played his final 13 games in 1937, ending his career, like Gordon Coventry, in that year’s Grand Final.
BILL PICKEN
1956-
Career span: 1974-1983, 1986
Games: 212
Goals: 46
Position: Centre Half Back
Playing stats: 185 cms, 85 kgs
Honours: Copeland trophy 1983; Runner-up in Copeland Trophy, 1977,78,79,81; 3rd in Copeland Trophy 1975; Best player in finals 1975,78,79,81; Most determined 1978; Best country recruit 1974; deputy vice captain 1980; Reserves best and fairest 1975; Life member; interstate representative 1977,79,80; 3rd in Brownlow Medal 1975
When older commentators bemoan the lack of ‘characters’ in modern football, it is players like Billy Picken they are missing. Bill’s idiosyncratic brilliance made him one of Collingwood’s most beloved stars of the 1970s and 80s.
Originally a skinny, but inaccurate forward, once reserves coach Ron Richards moved Picken into defence in his second year, he immediately became one of the league’s great defenders. One of the most spectacular marks of a high flying era, Picken developed a reputation as both a superb centre half back and as something of an on-field eccentric.
Legend had it that he was ‘a fantastic bloke and a great player, but a raving lunatic’ on the field. He apparently commentated on the action around him, talked to himself, yelled, stirred his opponents and overacted for free kicks. He famously cried out ‘Here comes Billy!’ when flying for his some of his many marks.
But all the while, he was a wonderful, attacking defender, running hard and flying high. Billy’s kicking didn’t improve a lot once he went to defence – he couldn’t get more than 40 metres accurately, but like Tony Shaw, he learnt to work within his limitations and his short passing became much more efficient. Not a big man for a key position player, his game consisted of incredible strengths and weaknesses that he worked hard to counter. He was out of the ordinary in most respects.
For all the outlandish elements and stories about Bill’s on field fanaticism, there was no doubting he had the ‘right stuff’. He was no clown, but was merely so involved in the game that his quirks became exaggerated.
The greatest testament to how seriously he took his footy was his unparalleled record in big games. He won Collingwood’s best player in the finals award a staggering four times.
Unlike some others in the late 70s, Billy Picken always rose to the big occasion. His strong attack on the ball and willingness to back his judgement and take marks rather than spoil, never faltered, no matter how much pressure he or the team was under.
Magpie fans lucky enough to have watched Billy’s career saw a magnificent mark, a unique character and a great clubman who always served the black and white with passion.
BOB ROSE
1928-2003
Career span: 1946-1955
Games: 152
Goals: 211
Position: rover
Honours: Copeland Trophy 1949, 1951, 1952, 1953; Leading goalkicker 1953, 1954; Coach 1964-1971, 1985-1986 (192 games, 121 wins, 69 losses, 2 draws); Vice President 1963-1971; Life member; Board of directors 1984-98; Runner-up Brownlow Medal 1953; Interstate representative 1949-54; all-Australian 1953; Victorian coach 1967; Footscray coach 1972-75; Member AFL Hall of Fame.
Playing stats: 178cms, 78kg
Bob Rose is one of the most revered figures in Collingwood's history. Arguably its best-ever player, he continually inspired teammates with his fierce attack on the football, his courage and a fanatical will-to-win.
He was a highly skilled player, fast and ferocious and as tough as old boots. Whether roving, in the centre or on a flank, he was just about the complete player; his four Copeland trophies prove it.
As a coach he produced teams of great skill and flair that fans loved to watch. His teams lost three grand finals in famously heartbreaking circumstances, and lost two preliminary finals as well.
But Rose's sportsmanship remained exemplary throughout, and the quiet dignity and grace he showed in such moments won him great respect and admiration, even outside Collingwood.
He displayed the same characteristics when dealing with the misfortune that befell his son Robert, rendered a quadriplegic after a car accident in 1974, looking after and caring for him for the next 25 years.
Bob Rose set the example for how Collingwood would like its footballers to play on the field, and conduct themselves off it.
No one is more loved and respected at Victoria Park - not only for the way he played and what he achieved, but for the man he was and the way he carried himself.
Bob Rose epitomised all that is good about Collingwood, and about football. The legacy he has left will be a lasting one.
PETER DAICOS
1961-
Career span: 1979-93
Games: 250
Goals: 549
Position: Centre, half forward
Honours: Copeland Trophy 1982, 1988; Leading goalkicker 1981, 1982, 1990, 1991; Reserves best and fairest 1979; Vice captain 1990-1991; Deputy Vice Captain 1988, 1989; Special award for services to the club 1985; Life member
Playing stats: 184 cms, 84 kgs
Peter Daicos was the idol of Magpie fans in the modern era. Nobody came close to matching his place in the hearts of Magpie fans. Daicos entertained and amazed spectators as few other players have done. Possessed of extraordinary skills and uncanny awareness, he regularly did things which footballing mortals could only dream about.
Everybody remembers the Daicos goals, and each of us has a favourite; the miracle against West Coast in 1990, the preposterous boundary line snap against Richmond at Vic Park in '91, the handball-and-run over Ian Nankervis at VFL Park, the goal against Brisbane from the behind post, the first goal in the 1990 grand final ... the list is endless.
But Daicos left other memories too. The seasons spent in the midfield that brought two Copeland Trophies. The brilliant evasive skills that allowed him to spin and baulk out of the tightest spots, and create space where there seemed to be none. And his control of the oval ball, which had to be seen to be believed.
MURRAY WEIDEMAN
1936-
Career span: 1953-1963
Games: 179
Goals: 264
Position: Centre Half Forward
Playing stats: 187 cm, 96 kg
Honours: Copeland Trophy 1957, 1961, 1962; Leading goalkicker 1959, 1960, 1962; Captain 1960-1963; Vice Captain 1958-1959; Reserves best and fairest 1953; Senior coach 1975-1976; Life Member
The Weed was a hero for Collingwood fans in the late 1950s and early 1960s. They loved the tough, uncompromising way he played his football. They admired the way he protected his smaller, lighter teammates. And they hailed him, rightly, for his pivotal role in the 1958 flag. With his strong build and good looks, he was likened to a Roman gladiator leading his troops into battle.
Weideman was not always the side's 'enforcer'. That role only came midway through his career, after he'd earlier won fame as a skilful, high-marking centre half-forward. But as more and more senior players retired, Weideman found himself cast into the position of the team's resident 'protector'. It was a role he seemed to relish.
He won three Copeland Trophies in six years, and became one of the most talked-about footballers in the competition. Opposition fans loved to hate Weideman; one even fired a bullet through the window of his shop. Such was the Weed's star appeal that he was even coaxed into a few bouts of professional wrestling.
Sadly for Collingwood, Weideman retired at just 27, depriving the club of one of its greatest leaders - and one of football's most colourful personalities.
WAYNE RICHARDSON
1946-
Career span: 1979-93
Games: 277
Goals: 324
Position: rover
Honours: Copeland Trophy 1971, 1974; Runner-up Copeland Trophy 1967, 1968, 1973; Most Consistent Player 1968, 1971, 1974; Most Determined 1971; Magpie Player Of The Year 1974; Best First Year Player 1966; Captain 1971-1975; Vice-captain 1970 Board of directors 1986-1992; Life Member
MARCUS WHELAN
1914-1973
Career span: 1933-1947
Games: 173
Goals: 31
Position: centre, full-back
Honours: Brownlow Medal 1939; Copeland Trophy 1939; Runner-Up Copeland Trophy 1936, 1940; 3rd Copeland trophy 1937; Vice-captain 1942; Life member
JACK REGAN
1912-1988
Career span: 1930-1946
Games: 196
Goals: 3
Position: full-back
Honours: Copeland Trophy 1936; Runner-Up Copeland Trophy 1934, 1937, 1941; Austral Trophy 1934, 1937; Captain 1940, 1941, 1943; Football Secretary 1969-1977; 3rd Brownlow Medal 1934; Captain of Victoria; Life Member
Jack Regan has long been regarded by astute judges as the finest full-back in the history of the game. Those who saw him play are convinced there have been none better.
Part of the reason Regan was so admired as a full-back was because of the way he played the position. Rather than being the close-checking type, Regan preferred to back his judgement against opposing full-forwards, resulting in some thrilling one-on-one marking duels with champions like South Melbourne's Bob Pratt.
He was a superb aerialist, but also a raking drop kick and, like all good full-backs, extremely cool under pressure.
Jack Regan played football the way the purists believe it should be played - as a battle of skills and wits against his opponent. In an era of outstanding full-forwards, it was an approach that could easily have cost him dearly. That it did not is testament to his greatness.
SYD COVENTRY
1899-1976
Career span: 1922-1934
Games: 227
Goals: 62
Position: ruck
Honours: Brownlow Medal 1927; Copeland trophy 1927, 1932; Best Player Award 1926; Austral trophy 1925; captain 1927-1934; Vice Captain 1926; Vice President 1939-1949; President 1950-1962; Patron 1963-1976; Interstate Representative 1922-1933; Life Member
If a football club is defined by the quality of its leaders, then it's no wonder that Collingwood dominated the competition in the late 1920s. For in Syd Coventry it had one of this club's greatest-ever skippers.
Coventry was a wonderful footballer - as evidenced by his Brownlow Medal in 1927 and his two Copeland Trophies. He was a strong-boned and big-hearted ruckman who specialised in playing a kick behind the play, and whose long kicking was a feature.
But he is best remembered for his inspirational leadership that took the club to premierships in each of his first four seasons as captain. The players under whom he played spoke of him with reverence and respect. He was strong, principled, loyal and inspirational.
The leadership qualities he displayed on the field came to the fore again in 1950 when he began a 12-year stint as club president. Syd Coventry, it seems, was born to lead.
DARREN MILLANE
1965-1991
Career Span: 1984-1991
Games: 147
Goals: 79
Position: wing
Honours: Copeland Trophy 1987; Runner-Up Copeland Trophy 1990; 3rd Copeland Trophy 1986, 1988; Most Courageous Player 1990; Best First Year Player 1984; Most Improved Player 1986; Phonse Kyne Trophy for services to the club 1988, 1989, 1991
DICK LEE
1889-1968
Career Span: 1906-1922
Games: 230
Goals: 707
Position: Full forward
Honours: leading goalkicker 1906, 1907, 1908, 1909, 1910, 1914, 1915, 1916, 1917, 1919, 1921; Captain 1920, 1921; Vice Captain 1910, 1911; Committee 1923-1934, 1950-1954; Life Member; Leading VFL goalkicker 1907, 1908, 1910, 1914, 1915, 1916, 1917, 1919, 1921
In an era of low-scoring football, Dick Lee redefined the expectations of full-forwards and set new standards for goalkicking. He regularly produced record tallies for single matches and over whole seasons.
He once kicked nine out of the team's 10 goals in a game against Carlton. He bagged 11 against University. He led the competition goalkicking table on no fewer than 10 occasions.
But it wasn't just the goals that Dick Lee kicked - it was the way he played, too. Fast, clever and a deadly kick, Lee became a favourite of the crowds and a hero to thousands of young boys. Most of all, they loved his spectacular high marking - and would begin chanting his name as the ball headed towards him.
Lee redefined forward play, adding an artistry and adventure to the position that had never been seen previously. He attracted crowds that watched only him, as John Coleman would do in the 1950s. He was Collingwood's first true superstar.
TONY SHAW
1960-
Career Span: 1977-1994
Games: 313
Goals: 159
Position: Rover, centre
Honours: Copeland Trophy 1984, 1990; 3rd Copeland Trophy 1981; Most Courageous Player 1983, 1989; Most Determined Player 1986; Best Team Man 1985; Special Trophy for services to the club 1986, 1987; Reserves best and fairest 1978; Captain1987-1993; Deputy Vice Captain 1985, 1986; Life Member; Norm Smith Medal 1990
If Tony Shaw had only ever played his 1990 season for Collingwood, he would still be a legend at Victoria Park. In that year he won the best and fairest, and also a Norm Smith Medal.
But more importantly, his passionate, determined and committed leadership took us all the way to one of the most important flags in the club's history.
More than any other one person, the 1990 flag was down to him. From that moment on, his position in the Collingwood pantheon was assured.
Luckily, Tony Shaw's career encompassed much more than just that glorious 1990 season. He'd shown himself repeatedly to be a courageous, high quality midfielder who loved getting plenty of possessions.
He wasn't fast and he mightn't have kicked long, but he just kept getting the footy and dishing it out to teammates.
He won another Copeland back in 1984, and finished his career as the club's games record holder. He also coached the club for four seasons.
DES FOTHERGILL
1920-
Career Span: 1937-1947
Games: 111
Goals: 337
Position: Rover, centre
Honours: Copeland Trophy 1937, 1938, 1940; Leading goalkicker 1940, 1945, 1946; Best first year player 1937; Reserves best and fairest 1936; Best player in finals series 1937, 1938; Life member; Brownlow Medallist 1940
ALBERT COLLIER
1909-1988
Career Span: 1925-1939
Games: 205
Goals: 54
Position: Centre half back
Honours: Copeland Trophy 1929, 1934, 1935; Vice Captain 1935-1939; Austral Cup 1928; Best player in finals 1935; Brownlow Medal 1929; Interstate representative 1928-1937; 3KZ Trophy for most popular player 1937
The Depression years featured some tough footballers, and even tougher football. But nobody in that time was tougher than Albert Collier.
Collier was a formidable presence in the heart of the Magpie defence through no fewer than six premierships. He was massively strong, fast, a good mark and as rugged a foe as you could find. Opponents were genuinely fearful of his uncompromising style of play - and usually with good reason. His teammates, on the other hand, worshipped the ground on which he walked.
For all that, he was not a thug - as evidenced by his Brownlow Medal win in 1929 and his three Copeland Trophies. When work opportunities forced him to Tasmania for two seasons after 1930, it's no coincidence that the team's winning run ended.
But Collier returned to play some of his best football in the mid-1930s, confirming his position among the all-time greats of Collingwood.
NATHAN BUCKLEY
1972-
Career Span: 1993-
Games: 208*
Goals: 205*
Position: centre
Honours: EW Copeland Trophy 1994 (equal), 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003; RT Rush Trophy 1997; JJ Joyce Trophy 2001; Captain since 1999; Brownlow Medal: 1st – 2003, 2nd -1998, 3rd - 1999, Norm Smith Medal 2002, AFL Rising Star 1993; eligible for life membership after 2004; All-Australian 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 (vice-captain), 2000 (vice-captain), 2001, 2003 (vice-captain); International Rules Series 1998 (captain); Jesaulenko Medal 1997; Allies captain 1997; SANFL- Magarey Medal 1992; Jack Oatey Medal (Grand Final B.O.G.) 1992; Port Adelaide best & fairest 1992
*To the start of 2004
In 2003 he set a new club record by winning his sixth Copeland Trophy. He's won a Brownlow, and a Norm Smith Medal to boot. And has become a magnificent Captain.
Buckley has devoted himself to the Magpie cause with complete dedication and professionalism. The rewards for his work have been there for all to see.
At times it looked as if he was carrying the team single-handedly, with his phenomenal ball-getting abilities, pinpoint long kicking and commitment to perfection.
There were critics, for a time. But even the doubters have been won over by his extraordinary consistency over more than a decade. No other player has played at a more consistently high level in that time.
Now, at last, he's firmly entrenched as one of the club's all-time greats, and one of the best footballers the game has seen in the past 20 years.
DES TUDDENHAM
1943-
Career Span: 1962-1977
Games: 182
Goals: 252
Position: centre, ruck rover, half forward
Honours: Copeland Trophy 1963; Runner-up Copeland trophy 1965; 1966; 1971; Most determined player 1970; Captain 1966-1969, 1976; Life member
PHONSE KYNE
1915-1985
Career Span: 1934-44, 1946-1950
Games: 245
Goals: 237
Position: centre half forward, ruck
Honours: Copeland Trophy 1946, 1947, 1948; Runner-up Copeland trophy 1938, 1939, 1949; 3rd Copeland Trophy 1936; Captain 1942, 1946-1949; Vice-Captain 1940, 1941; Coach 1950-1963; Life member
Because he piloted the club to its historic Premiership win in 1958, Phonse Kyne is perhaps best remembered as a Collingwood coach. But before then he'd enjoyed a glittering playing career. He was an outstanding ruckman/forward and much admired leader whose on-field career spanned 18 years.
He started as a centre half-forward, where he played in the back-to-back flags of 1935-36. He later moved into the ruck, where he won three successive Copeland Trophies. He was a great palmer of the ball, expert at shepherding and adept at bringing the smaller players around him into the game.
Later, as coach, he tasted premiership success in 1953 as well as 1958. Just as importantly, he also won the respect of those who played under him, and those who coached against him. Kyne was one of the most highly regarded men in football, renowned as a fine and fair sportsman, and a wonderful ambassador for the Collingwood Football Club.
HARRY COLLIER
1907- 1994
Career Span: 1926-1940
Games: 255
Goals: 299
Position: rover
Honours: Copeland Trophy 1928, 1930; Captain 1935, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939; Vice captain 1933-1934; Committee 1964-1975; Best player in finals 1926; Most Consistent Player 1927, 1928, 1930; Austral Trophy 1932; Life Member; Brownlow medal 1930
It's debatable whether any player has ever loved his club more than Harry Collier loved Collingwood.
He grew up near Vic Park, went to school opposite it and spent winter weekends selling footy records outside the ground. He thought it such an honour to pay for Collingwood that he could not believe it when told he would actually be paid for the privilege!
Harry's passion for the club shone through in his play. He was a feisty, fearless rover who won the hearts of all Magpie fans with his brilliance, gameness and love of a scrap. He gave absolutely everything he had, week in and week out. He was superb around goals, and later developed into a great captain who guided the team to back-to-back flags.
In all, that made six Premiership medals for Harry. There was also a Brownlow in 1930, and two Copeland Trophies. But Harry's place at Collingwood was enshrined not on the honour boards, but in the affection the fans had for him. For Harry Collier, that would have been the greatest recognition of all.
LEN THOMPSON
1947-2007
Career Span: 1965-1978
Games: 268
Goals: 217
Position: Ruck
Honours: Copeland trophy 1967, 1968, 1972, 1973, 1977; Runner-up Copeland Trophy 1969, 1976; 3rd Copeland Trophy 1966; Most consistent player 1967; 1968; 1972; 1973, 1977; Best player in finals 1977; Captain 1978; Vice Captain 1973-1977; Deputy Vice Captain 1969, 1972; Committee 1982, 1983; Life member
Collingwood has produced no finer big man than the mighty Len Thompson. He won five Copeland Trophies, a Brownlow Medal and redefined the art of ruck play.
Thompson was the first of the super-tall, super-mobile ruckmen who dominate today's game. As a ruckman he was one of the best around - a master craftsman who specialised in delicate tapwork that gave his rovers first class service. He was strong enough to withstand wrestling with man-mountains like John Nicholls, and good enough in the air to beat opponents like Gary Dempsey.
Yet Thommo had another dimension to his game - mobility. He combined the physical strength and height of a traditional ruckman with the athleticism of a ruck-rover. It was an awesome combination that was almost impossible for opposition sides to combat.
*Thanks to Michael Roberts, author of ‘A Century Of The Best: The Stories of Collingwood’s Favourite Sons’ |
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