Vale Neville Withers
1960-63
Games 41 Goals 7

The Collingwood Football Club has been saddened to learn of the death of former player Neville Withers.

A highly talented big man with a huge leap, Withers played 41 senior games for the Club across a four-year period, with a further 34 in the under-19s and reserves. He would undoubtedly have played many more had it not been for a long line of knee injuries that eventually ended his career.

A northern suburbs boy, Neville went to Preston Tech but in those days was more interested in high-jumping than football as an athletic pursuit. He returned to footy with his brother Des years later with local club Lakeside Rovers, and from there he ended up with the Collingwood under-19s in 1959.

He progressed to the reserves the next year and also made his senior debut. His natural athletic prowess meant few opponents could out-jump him, and his strong hands meant fewer still could out-mark him. He played in defence at first, and then graduated to the ruck.

He spent a couple of years establishing himself, but after playing every game in 1962 he was struck early in 1963 by the first in a succession of knee injuries. He ended up retiring from the game in 1964, and was just 22 when he played his last senior game.
The Board, management, staff, coaches and players of the Collingwood Football Club would like to acknowledge Neville Withers’ contribution to our club. Our thoughts are with his family and his friends from Collingwood and beyond.

Side by Side.

To read Neville’s full story and the stats from his career, check his bio on Forever.