Collingwood has long been synonymous with the game’s greatest forwards.
Dick Lee began the trend in the early 20th century, becoming the first player in V/AFL history to reach 500 goals and etching himself as the seminal figure in what is colloquially described as ‘kicking a bag’.
As Lee’s career came to a close, the pre-eminent Gordon Coventry’s embarked. Leading the Pies in front of the big sticks a record 16 times, his 1299 career goals rightly bestowed him with namesake status for the Club’s annual leading goal-kicker award.
He was the first player in league history to reach the magical 100-goal milestone in 1929 – something he’d do four times throughout his career – before Ron Todd took the over the mantle in 1938 and ’39 with consecutive hundred goal seasons.
Peter McKenna came along in the 1960s and 70s, finishing with 838 goals in black and white stripes, while Brian Taylor kicked 371 goals in just 97 games at the Club – including a 100-goal 1986 season that earned him the Coleman Medal.
The Rocca brothers carried on the Pies’ legacy, with Saverio kicking 514 of his career tally of 748 in black and white, while Anthony finished with 404 at the Pies as the 1990s and 2000s continued to see flurries of goals.
Travis Cloke was the man after the Roccas, kicking 441 majors for his boyhood club, however his departure at the end of 2016 marked a new era in the Pies’ key forward stakes.
Goals had become harder to come by in the modern game, and Cloke’s departure left the Pies without an out and out key in the front half, so things had to get creative.
Enter Brody Mihocek.
While the idea to move the 25-year-old Tasmanian Collingwood had taken in the 2017 rookie draft forward wasn’t immediate – with Mihocek occupying a key defensive post in the early stages of the 2018 VFL season – what was immediate was the effect it had once actioned.
Debuting in Round 11 of 2018 and finishing with four goals, the former Port Melbourne and Werribee player ensured his place in the team from then on in.
His 29-goal debut season from just 16 games foreshadowed what was to come, as he went on a remarkable run of five straight Gordon Coventry Awards (2019-2023), with his crowning moment coming in a 47-goal premiership year to conclude that streak.
While not as prolific in terms of pure numbers as the likes of those who have come before him, Mihocek has been as consistent and integral as any player throughout his time at the Club.
Only last season – when he missed over half the year through injury – has he kicked less than 24 goals, while his five leading goal-kicker titles is bettered by only five players in Collingwood history.
And fittingly, as Mihocek’s 150th game in black and white is celebrated on Saturday night, the Pies’ next star inside 50 emerges.
Charlie West’s debut brings with it the anticipation and excitement of a new chapter in the Pies’ key forward history being written and under the tutelage of Mihocek, Dan McStay, and recruit Tim Membrey, West’s start to life as a Pie has quickly proved that his future is a bright one.
Having been taken at Pick 50 just eight months ago, the 19-year-old could have been forgiven for easing into life as a professional athlete. But he’s done anything but, building his confidence over a shortened pre-season, and regularly impressing at training against his experienced teammates.
The grandson of former AFL CEO Wayne Jackson, football runs in the South Australian’s blood. He plays with an endearing confidence that Pies fans will come to love; assured in his strengths and prepared to put his body on the line.
25 goals have come in his 10 VFL games, including hauls of five, four and six, making his credentials for the top level undisputed. And what better time for him to take the main stage than on a night of celebration for the most credentialed figure of current Magpie key forwards.
