Vale John Henderson
1957-66
Games 144 Goals 28
Premiership player 1958
Captain 1965 (part)
The Collingwood Football Club is deeply saddened to announce the death of former captain and 1958 Premiership player John Henderson.
Henderson was just a youngster when he played a pivotal role in the Club’s fabled 1958 Premiership win and he would go on to enjoy a great career, playing mostly as a centreman or running defender.
John was born in Seymour and went to Seymour High School. By 15, with no junior teams in the area, he was playing at centre half-forward for the senior Avenel team. He moved to Melbourne to start a career in banking and, while there, unsuccessfully tried out with Essendon thirds (he was a mad Bombers fan).
So he turned his back on city football and decided to play again with Avenel, hitchhiking home each Saturday morning after work.
John’s good performances for Avenel soon alerted Collingwood, and the Magpies invited him down to play practice matches in 1956. He played half a dozen games with the reserves that year but had relatively little impact.
In 1957, however, he started in the thirds, progressed to the seconds and eventually made his senior debut. The progression continued in 1958, starring with the seconds for most of the season before eventually breaking into the team just three weeks before the finals.
And what an impact he made then! Playing as a ruck-rover John was awarded Brownlow votes in each of his first two games. Then he was shifted into the centre and starred in both the preliminary final and Grand Final.
That was the start of a wonderful Collingwood career. He could play just about anywhere, but spent most time in the centre, the back pocket or on a half-back flank.
He was an astute reader of the game, extremely quick (he’d been a decorated athlete at school), a wonderfully sure ball-handler, a good mark and a long clearing kick. He was tenacious and determined and loved a contest.
John was a regular and consistent performer in the Magpie teams of the early-mid 1960s. He was runner-up in the Copeland in 1961 and 1964, and third in 1962. He also played for Victorian interstate teams. He was named vice-captain in 1964, and took over as skipper after Ray Gabelich relinquished the role early in 1965.
But Des Tuddenham took over as captain in 1966, and John left the VFL after that year’s heartbreaking Grand Final loss, aged just 28. He spent three years with Yarraville before returning to Avenel. After that he spent time with Donvale and then Wodonga, where he settled.
John had been unwell in recent months, and died just a week or so after turning 87.
The Board, management, staff, coaches and players of the Collingwood Football Club would like to pay tribute to John Henderson’s wonderful contribution to our club, and also to the wider game of Australian football. Our thoughts are with his family, and his friends from Collingwood, Avenel, Wodonga and beyond.
Side by Side.
To read John’s full story and the stats from his career, check his bio on Forever:
