In honour of Retro Round, Collingwood is looking back on some of its most loved figures.

Some forged esteemed careers but also carried with them a loveable presence, while others were less accomplished, but no-less admired, capturing the hearts and imaginations of the Magpie Army.

Here are some of the Club’s most loved cult figures, in no particular order.

Alan Didak

A two-time All Australian, 200-gamer, Copeland Trophy winner and premiership player – Didak is perhaps a too heavily-accomplished player for what some would dub a cult figure.

But there was just something about the loveable left-footer that endeared him to Magpies fans, making him one of their favourites throughout history.

Able to back up his cheeky persona with wizard-like skill in front of the big sticks, Didak regularly stood up in big moments.

With trademark celebrations like the shimmy and forefinger wag, Didak’s swagger will live long in the memory of Pies fans.

Mark McGough

While one-hit wonder feels harsh when referring to Mark McGough, there’s no doubt the 37-game Magpie’s footballing identity is linked exclusively to his Anzac Day Medal performance in 2002.

The then Year 12 student was in just his second ever AFL game as a 17-year-old when he took the footballing world by storm – collecting 22 disposals and kicking two goals to earn Player of the Match honours on Anzac Day.

It was scarcely believable at the time and almost incomprehensible now given 17-year-olds aren’t even eligible for the league yet, but that day would etch McGough’s name into Magpie folklore forever.

Unfortunately, 35 games later, the Pies would delist McGough at the end of 2004, but his name is sure to get a mention at least once a year on the most revered day on the football calendar.

Jack Madgen

While not as ‘retro’ as others on this list, there’s no doubt Jack Madgen became an instant Collingwood cult figure.

A hard-working utility who played primarily in defence, Madgen’s effort was as consistent as anyone’s throughout his five seasons on the list.

The best win-loss record of his career came in the shortened season of 2020 when he notched 13 games for seven wins, but no doubt his most memorable moments came in the following two years.

Finding the big sticks just twice in his 49-game career, Madgen’s maiden goal was a stunning finish tucked up against the boundary against GWS in 2021, before he outdid himself the following year with a long-range bomb against the SUNS.

Both majors were met with raucous celebrations from teammates and standing ovations as he returned to the City End of the MCG, confirming his status as a much-loved figure during his time at the Club.

Phil Carman

The man dubbed ‘Fabulous Phil’ may have played just 66 games for the Pies, but few packed in as much action – both positive and negative – as the star forward did.

That he kicked 142 goals in those 66 games shows just how impressive a footballer Carman was, debuting for the Pies in 1975 – 10 years after he had first been identified by Collingwood scouts.

That was when he was just 15 years old playing in his hometown of Edenhope in western Victoria – however he would frustrate Pies officials by taking a full decade to actually sign on with the black and white.

But once he did, he wowed and quickly established himself as one of the most loved players in Collingwood history. A prodigiously talented forward, Carman won the Copeland Trophy in his debut season.

Over the next three seasons he would continue to dominate, but injury and controversy meant trust had waned, and he was eventually traded to Melbourne at the end of 1978.

But that will never take away the love the Magpie Army had for him throughout the ‘Fabulous Phil’ era of the mid 70s.

Rene Kink

Nicknamed the ‘Incredible Hulk for his bustling play-making abilities, Kink was as loved as any figure in the Pies’ almost teams of the 1970s.

Debuting at just 16 years of age, Kink was destined to be a crowd favourite and quickly rose to prominence.

But he would face regular knocks on his consistency throughout his career, with the Magpie Army equally as adoring of him as they were critical at times.

His best years came during Tommy Hafey’s tenure as coach during the late 70s, but by 1983, new coach John Cahill told him his services were no longer required after 154 games and 240 goals in the black and white.

The memories of Kink at his best are what live on though, with Pies fans loving the brute force he brought to the side.

Leigh Brown

Already an established AFL footballer when he crossed over to the Pies in 2009, it was the role that Leigh Brown played in the Club’s strong era throughout the 2010s that quickly made him a much-loved figure.

Physically strong but not overly tall given he was deployed as a back-up ruckman throughout his time in black and white, Brown dismissed any concerns and worked strongly in tandem with Darren Jolly.

He played on edge and without any ego, often standing up in big moments, particularly finals – with towering long-bombs throughout the 2009 and ’10 finals series’ long-lasting moments.

A premiership player in 2010 – Brown had 13 disposals in both the draw and victory and showed why Mick Malthouse had recruited him to the Club.

Often described as a journeyman, no cohort of fans were happier than the Magpie Army that his journey culminated in a flag for the black and white.

Mick Gayfer

While not the most naturally gifted footballer, Gayfer’s tenacious tagging traits quickly endeared him to Magpie fans throughout a respected career that spanned the 1980s and early 90s.

While he wasn’t the sharpest of skilled players, fitness was no issue – with Gayfer often remarked as one of the most diligent trainers in an era before full-time professionalism.

Gayfer nullified some of the best medium/small forwards of his era early in his career including Bulldogs champion Doug Hawkins and Essendon star Mark Harvey, before playing on the likes of Tony Lockett and Jason Dunstall as his experience grew.

While his niggling tactics weren’t always looked upon fondly by his opponents and their supporters, there’s no doubting he was dearly loved by his own teammates and the Magpie Army at large.

Rupert Betheras

In playing just five seasons and 85 matches, Rupert Betheras might just hold the title for most loved Magpie of all-time on a games played ratio.

Particularly throughout 2002 as the Pies charted a path to an unlikely premiership -ultimately just falling short against Brisbane – Betheras’ cult status rose to prominence.

Go to any Magpies home game as the ’02 season kicked into gear, and the chant ‘Ruuupppeee’ would be reverberating around the MCG.

Betheras was often tasked with difficult matchups and often rose to the occasion, always prepared to do the team thing.

It was those qualities that made him one of the most loved figures among teammates and fans alike, with Betheras going down as a heart and soul player who certainly didn’t lack skill.

James Manson

While by his own admission not the greatest kick in the world, Manson held many a trait that landed him cult figure status, as another Magpie that gave his all every single week.

A premiership player through the ruck and forward half, Manson was as hard-working and aggressive as any player throughout the 1980s and 90s.

Originally from Tasmania, Manson was recruited to player in the Under 19s initially and worked his way to a 120-game career in the black and white – with the highlight being a medallion as part of the drought-breaking 1990 flag.

Undersized, but never out of the fight in the ruck, Manson epitomised the blue-collared spirit synonymous with Collingwood.

Mick Bone

Growing up just near Victoria Park in Melbourne’s northern suburbs and becoming a fanatical Magpie from day dot, Mick Bone’s ties to the heart and soul of Collingwood made him a much-loved figure.

First arriving to play Under 19s football in 1960, Bone was a hard-nosed rover who was said to play not for personal acclaim, but all for the black and white.

Not even 170cm tall, Bone would throw himself into any contest, with his courage and tenacity lauded by teammates and coaches alike.

As his cult status grew, fans noted Bone had cut off the collar on the heavy woollen jumpers donned at the time in the effort to earn more high free kicks – which started the trend for today’s collarless jumpers.

It was this approach of getting as much out of what he had that endeared him to Magpie fans as one of the most popular players throughout the early 1960s.

The 2025 Retro Guernsey is available now at the Club Shop in-store and online - Members receive 10% off. Retro Guernseys will also be available to purchase at the Club Shop and MCG on game day. Shop now.