Ahead of the 115th VFL/AFL Grand Final between Hawthorn and Fremantle, collingwoodfc.com.au has published the Magpies’ premiership record in all its glory.
In its 120 year history, Collingwood has collected a total of 27 premierships across senior, reserve and under-19 grades. The club won its only VFA premiership in its fifth and final year in the competition before switching to the newly formed VFL for the 1897 season. It has since won 15 VFL/AFL premierships, second only to Carlton and Essendon (16). The Magpies have played in more Grand Finals (43) than any other team, appearing in the decider on an average of once every two and a half years.
VFL/AFL Premierships - 1902, 1903, 1910, 1917, 1919, 1927, 1928, 1929, 1930, 1935, 1936, 1953, 1958, 1990, 2010.
VFA Premierships - 1896.
Reserves Premierships - 1919, 1920, 1922, 1925, 1940, 1965, 1976.
Under 19 Premierships - 1960, 1965, 1974, 1986.
1902
Collingwood 1.2 3.2 5.5 9.6 (60)
Essendon 1.3 2.7 3.7 3.9 (27)
Goals – Collingwood: E. Lockwood, Rowell 3, Allan, Angus, Pears.
Essendon: Hiskins, O’Loughlin, Thurgood.
Best – Collingwood: Hailwood, Pannam, Allan, Rush, Fell, Rowell.
Essendon: McKenzie, Gavin, Mann, Wright, Larkin, Hutchens.
Crowd: 35,502 at the MCG.
Umpire: Crapp.
1902 Premiership Team
B: G. Lockwood, W. Proudfoot, M. Fell
HB: R. Rush, J. Leach, A. Dummett
C: C. Pannam, C. McCormack, J. Allan
HF: J. Incoll, E. Rowell, G. Angus
F: H. Pears, E. Lockwood, A. Leach
FOLL: F. Hailwood, L.Tulloch (Capt.) , R. Condon
Coach: "Lardie" Tulloch (acting coach, as club captain)
The 1902 VFL season was a momentous one in more ways than one as it not only was Collingwood’s first premiership season, but the grand final was played at the MCG for the first time. The big Collingwood-Essendon clash drew a league record attendance of 35,202, but the match itself was a disappointment.
Essendon controlled the first half and would have had a handy lead at the main break if it had not been for inaccuracy in front of goal. Champion Essendon forward Albert Thurgood looked dangerous for the black and red but had two opponents throughout the second half and the Same-Olds could not find their way to goal.
On the other hand, Collingwood had dominant players in ruckman Frank Hailwood and full-forward Ted Lockwood and outscored Essendon by six goals to one in the second half to run out comfortable 33-point winners. The Australasian newspaper reported: "Collingwood genuinely and on merit established their right to the premiership......their magnificent final exhibition put a fitting seal on an excellent year’s work."
1903
Collingwood 2.3 3.4 3.6 4.7 (31)
Fitzroy 2.2 2.5 2.8 3.11 (29)
Goals – Collingwood: Addison 2, Condon, E. Lockwood.
Fitzroy: Millis, Milne, McSpeerin.
Best – Collingwood: Pannam, Proudfoot, McCormack, Monohan, Fell, Rowell.
Fitzroy: Trotter, Beauchamp, Milne, McSpeerin, Barker, Walker.
Crowd: 32,363 at the MCG.
Umpire: Gibson.
1903 Premiership Team
B: G. Lockwood, W. Proudfoot, A. Dummett
HB: M. Fell, J. Monohan, R. Rush
C: C. Pannam, C. McCormack, E. Drohan
HF: E. Lockwood, E. Rowell, L. Tulloch (c)
F: A. Leach, J. Addison, H. Pears
FOLL: J. Incoll, G. Angus, R. Condon
Coach: Lawrence "Lardie" Tulloch (acting coach, as club captain)
When Fitzroy thrashed Geelong by 52 points in the second-semi final, the Maroons were almost unbackable favourites to defeat Collingwood in the grand final. Fitzroy had hit form at the right time, whereas Collingwood had struggled to defeat Carlton by four points in the other semi-final.
However, Collingwood fought grimly in warm conditions against Fitzroy and, with "Lardie" Tulloch leading the way, the Magpies led by five points at half-time. The big crowd sensed a tight finish and were not disappointed, with neither side able to grab a match-winning break.
Collingwood led by just four points at the final change and held grimly to its lead throughout a tight, tense final quarter. Then, right on the final bell, Fitzroy skipper Gerald Brosnan marked 30 yards from goal. He went back for his kick, missed and the Magpies won its second consecutive flag by just two points.
1910
Collingwood 4.3, 5.3, 8.5, 9.7 (61)
Carlton 1.2, 2.6, 4.9, 6.11 (47)
Goals – Collingwood: Lee 4, Angus, Daykin, Gibb, Gilchrist, Vernon.
Carlton: McGregor 2, Bacquie, Gardiner, Marchbank, Wells.
Best – Collingwood: Lee, Scaddan, Shorten, McHale, Rowell, McIvor.
Carlton: McGregor, Baquie, Payne, Clarke, Harris, Marchbank.
Crowd: 42,577 at the MCG.
Umpire: Elder.
1910 Premiership Team
B: J. Sadler, E. Rowell, C. Norris
HB: J. Scaddan, J. Shorten, D. McIvor
C: P. Gibb, J. McHale, N. Oliver
HF: G. Angus (c), L. Hughes, R. Vernon
F: P. Gilschrist, W. Lee, P. Wilson
FOLL: D. Ryan, R. Daykin, T. Baxter
Coach: George Angus (acting coach, as club captain)
Even way back in 1910, Collingwood and Carlton were bitter rivals and fans expected fireworks in that season’s grand final; they were not disappointed.
Although Collingwood’s form leading up to the finals had been disappointing, wins over Essendon and South Melbourne in September had them primed for the flag.
With champion full-forward Dick Lee hitting the target early, Collingwood led by 19 points at quarter-time and looked set for a comfortable win.
However, the Magpies then played defensive football and were lucky to be holding a 15-point lead at half-time. The match then became ill-tempered as Carlton clawed its way back into calculations.
Numerous brawls erupted in the final quarter, with Carlton’s Jack Bacquie and Percy Sheehan and Collingwood’s Les Hughes and Tom Baxter reported for striking. All eventually were found guilty and suspended for various periods.
Collingwood, despite everything Carlton threw at it over this final quarter, held steady and won by 14 points to take its third flag. The Argus described the final quarter’s play as "unsavoury".
1917
Collingwood 2.6, 3.8, 6.14, 9.20 (74)
Fitzroy 1.0, 2.2, 3.4, 5.9 (39)
Goals – Collingwood: Lee 4, Curtis 3, Dobrigh, Hughes.
Fitzroy: Freake, Norris, Parratt, Rattray, Toohey.
Best – Collingwood: Wilson, Pannam, Anderson, Drummond, Saunders, Mutch.
Fitzroy: Bamford, Millen, Parratt, McDonald, Green, Brown.
Crowd: 28,385 at the MCG.
Umpire: Norden.
1917 Premiership Team
B: J. McHale, H. Saunders, A. Mutch
HB: G. Anderson, C. Brown, J. Green
C: T. Drummond, P. Wilson (c), C. Pannam
HF: L. Dobrigh, H. Curtis, C. Lee
F: C. McCarthy, W. Lee, E. Lumsden
FOLL: L. Hughes, A. Reynolds, C. Laxton
Coach: Jock McHale
World War I had wearied Australia by the time the third war-time VFL Grand Final was due in 1917. Although there had been only four teams (Fitzroy, Carlton, Collingwood and Richmond) competing in 1916, South Melbourne and Geelong rejoined in 1917.
Collingwood finished on top of the ladder and then thrashed South by 60 points in the second semi-final.
Surprisingly, however, Fitzroy then defeated the Magpies by six points in a high-class final and Collingwood, as minor premier, had the right to challenge the Maroons for the premiership in a grand final.
The small and speedy Fitzroy had caught Collingwood off-guard in their first finals encounter and Magpie coach Jock McHale therefore instructed his men to "hit hard" in the Grand Final.
The Magpie tactics worked to perfection, with the black and white controlling play from the start and, with Dick Lee starring at full-forward, then racing to an insurmountable 28-point lead by three quarter time.
Each Collingwood grand final team member was presented with a gold medallion.
1919
Collingwood 1.5, 5.5, 8.8, 11.12 (78)
Richmond 1.2, 4.7, 10.7, 7.11 (53)
Goals – Collingwood: Lee 3, Seddon 2, Curtis, Hughes, Laxton, Lumsden, Twomey, Walton.
Richmond: Bayliss, Don, James 2, Harley.
Best – Collingwood: McCarthy, Hughes, Pannam, Curtis, Colechin, Lee. Richmond: Hislop, Smith, Harley, Herbert, James, Parkinson.
Crowd: 45,413 at the MCG.
Umpire: Elder.
1919 Premiership Team
B: W. Haysom, H. Saunders, M. Sheehy
HB: F. Mutch, W. Walton, A. Colechin
C: T. Drummond, C. Pannam, W. Twomey
HF: E. Wilson, H. Curtis, M. Seddon
F: A. Reynold, W. Lee, E. Lumsden
FOLL: L. Hughes, J.C. "Con" McCarthy (c), C. Laxton
Coach: Jock McHale
Football was almost back to normal in 1919, except for the demise of the University club.
This meant a nine-team competition in the first post-war season, with Collingwood topping the VFL ladder ahead of Richmond.
Then, when Collingwood defeated Carlton by 18 points in the second semi-final, the Magpies became raging flag favorites.
However, the young Richmond side had other ideas and defeated Collingwood by 25 points in the final.
Collingwood, as minor premier, had the right of challenge in a grand final and coach Jock McHale was determined his side would not under-estimate the Tigers again.
McHale instructed his team to play attacking football and to look for champion goalkicker Dick Lee whenever possible.
The Magpies followed McHale’s instructions, but could not shake off the determined Tigers until the third quarter.
Then, when Charlie Laxton, Malcolm "Doc" Seddon and Ern "Snowy" Lumsden goaled early in the final quarter, the flag was in Collingwood’s keeping and the Magpies cruised to a comfortable 25-point victory.
1927
Collingwood 0.1, 2.6, 2.9, 2.13 (25)
Richmond 0.4, 0.4, 0.7, 1.7 (13)
Goals - Collingwood: G. Coventry 2.
Richmond: Fincher.
Best – Collingwood: S. Coventry, Makeham, Murphy, Beveridge, Rowe, H. Collier
Richmond: B. McCormack, Hayes, Geddes, Fincher, Harris, Rudolph.
Crowd: 34,551 at the MCG.
Umpire: McMurray.
1927 Premiership Team
B: H. Westcott, C. Dibbs, J. Poulter
HB: E. Wilson, G. Clayden, A. Collier
C: H. Chesswass, J. Beveridge, C. Milburn
HF: F. Murphy, R. Makeham, J. Harris
F: H. Rumney, G. Coventry, H. Collier
FOLL: S. Coventry (c), P. Rowe, W. Libbis
Coach: Jock McHale
Consecutive Collingwood grand final defeats in 1925 and 1926 were the catalysts for the greatest premiership run in the history of VFL/AFL football.
The Magpies especially took the 57-point humiliation by Melbourne in 1926 to heart and were determined to bounce back with a flag and appointed the aggressive Syd Coventry as club captain for the start of the 1927 season.
Coventry, a fearless competitor in the ruck, set the perfect example to lift the Magpies to the top of the ladder.
Then, when the Magpies thrashed a hapless Geelong by 66 points in the second semi-final, Collingwood was considered a certainty for the flag. However, no-one had counted on appalling conditions for the grand final against Richmond.
Rain started falling on the Friday and, by the time the players had taken the field, the MCG was under water. Richmond kicked with a strong wind in the first quarter, but a strong Magpie defence held the Tigers at bay.
Collingwood’s Gordon Coventry kicked two goals in the second quarter and, with rain pelting down, the match was as good as over. Richmond only goal was scored by Jack Fincher in in the final quarter and the Magpies won by eight points.
1928
Collingwood 2.4, 7.8, 9.11, 13.18 (96)
Richmond 0.3, 4.5, 7.7, 9.9 (63)
Goals – Collingwood: G.Coventry 9, L.Murphy 2, Harris, Makeham.
Richmond: Empey, O’Halloran, Titus, Weidner 2, Goding.
Best – Collingwood: A.Collier, G.Coventry, Murphy, S. Coventry, H.Collier, Rumney.
Richmond: O’Halloran, Murdoch, Watson, B. McCormack, Harris, Lilburne.
Crowd: 50,026 at the MCG.
Umpire: McMurray.
1928 Premiership Team
B: H. Rumney, C. Dibbs, A. Lauder
HB: A. Collier, G. Clayden, R. Makeham
C: N. McLeod, J. Beveridge, B. Andrew
HF: J. Harris, F. Murphy, H. Chesswass
F: P. Rowe, G. Coventry, H. Collier
FOLL: S. Coventry (C), L. Murphy, W. Libbis
Coach: Jock McHale
Collingwood was almost unbackable for the 1928 premiership even before the start of the season.
Then, when the Magpies finished the home and away season on top of the ladder with just three defeats, the premiership was considered to be as good as fluttering over Victoria Park.
But that was before Melbourne came from 30 points down at three-quarter time to force a draw in the second semi-final.
Collingwood scrambled home by four points in the replay to face Richmond in the final. Under the system operating at the time, a Richmond victory would have allowed Collingwood - as minor premier - the right of challenge in a grand final.
Champion Collingwood full-forward Gordon "Nuts" Coventry made sure his teammates did not need the extra match.
Coventry kicked two early goals and, after Richmond hit back early in the second quarter, he booted another three goals to give him five by half-time. The Magpies led by 21 points at the main break and, with Coventry dominating, were never in trouble.
Coventry, brother of Magpie skipper Syd, kicked four second-half goals to give him a tally of nine. He was the star in the Magpies’ 33-point win.
1929
Collingwood 6.3, 7.6, 9.6, 11.13 (79)
Richmond 2.0, 3.3, 5.5, 7.8 (50)
Goals – Collingwood: Edmonds 5, G. Coventry 2, H. Collier, Libbis, F. Murphy, L. Murphy.
Richmond: Baggott, Weidner 2, Geddes, Lilburne, O’Halloran.
Best – Collingwood: Libbis, Westcott, S. Coventry, Ahern, Clayden, Dibbs.
Richmond: Murdoch, Bentley, Geddes, Watson, Empey, Harris.
Crowd: 63,336 at the MCG.
Umpire: Scott.
1929 Premiership Team
B: H. Westcott, C. Dibbs, G. Clayden
HB: A. Lauder, A. Collier, H. Rumney
C: H. Chesswass, J. Beveridge, P. Bowyer
HF: F. Murphy, L. Murphy, R. Makeham
F: H. Edmonds, G. Coventry, H. Collier
FOLL: S. Coventry (c), C. Ahern, W. Libbis
Coach: Jock McHale
To 1929, only one club – Carlton, from 1906-1908 – had won three consecutive VFL flags, and Collingwood was determined to at least equal that record.
In fact, the Magpies signalled this intention at its 1928 annual meeting late in 1928 and in that year’s annual report. Then, when the Magpies finished the home and away season undefeated on top of the ladder, there appeared no stopping the black and white.
Incredibly, however, Richmond thrashed the previously invincible Magpies by 62 points in the second semi-final to shock the football world.
Under the finals system operating at that time, Richmond and Carlton then played off, with Collingwood - as minor premier - able to challenge the winner of this match in a grand final. Richmond defeated Carlton by six points and Collingwood knuckled down to avenge its shock semi-final loss.
Collingwood skipper Syd Coventry won the toss and, after electing to kick with a strong wind at the Magpies’ tail, the match was as good as over by the first change. The Magpies kicked six goals to two in this first quarter and then held the Tigers to just one goal in the second quarter.
Tactics devised by Magpie coach Jock McHale were decisive as he had champion full-forward "Nuts" Coventry, tagged by two Tigers, leading upfield to leave teammate Horrie "Tubby" Edmonds to sneak in for five goals. Collingwood defeated Richmond by 29 points to equal Carlton’s three-flags-in-a-row record.
1930
Collingwood 3.2, 3.7, 11.13, 14.16 (100)
Geelong 2.5, 6.10, 6.11, 9.16 (70)
Goals – Collingwood: G. Coventry 7, Makeham 2, Beveridge, H. Collier, Edmonds, Froude, L. Murphy.
Goals – Geelong: Troughton 3, Llewellyn 2, L. Hardiman, Kuhlken, Rayson, Williams.
Best – Collingwood: Makeham, G. Coventry, F. Murphy, Clayden, Andrew, H. Collier.
Geelong: Troughton, Llewellyn, Evans, Mockridge, Carney, Todd.
Crowd: 45,022 at the MCG.
Umpire: Scott.
1930 Premiership Team
B: A. Lauder, C. Dibbs, P. Bowyer
HB: H. Rumney, A. Collier, G. Clayden
C: B. Andrew, J. Beveridge, H. Chesswass
HF: R. Makeham, F. Murphy, W. Aldag
F: H. Edmonds, G. Coventry, H. Collier
FOLL: S. Coventry (Capt.), L. Murphy, W. Libbis
RES: F. Froude
Coach: Jock McHale
The Collingwood juggernaut thundered on in 1930, with only three defeats - by Fitzroy, Geelong and Carlton - during the home and away season.
The Magpies, with "Nuts" Coventry almost unbeatable at full-forward, played attacking football in every match and finished its finals preparations with a 33-point demolition of Essendon at Windy Hill before pipping Richmond by three points in the second semi-final.
Collingwood them met Geelong in the final and looked anything by invincible when the Cats led by 37 points at half-time.
Geelong eventually won by 26 points but Collingwood, as minor premier, had the right of challenge and therefore faced the Cats again the following week in the grand final.
Incredibly, Collingwood coach Jock McHale did not attend the match as he was bed-ridden by influenza. Surely Collingwood’s run would come to an end, especially as Geelong led by 15 points at half-time?
Veteran Magpie legend Bob Rush addressed the Collingwood players at half-time and reminded them that Geelong’s pace would not be as effective over the second half if the Magpies played it tight and tough.
The Magpies also were blessed by the change in weather conditions, with rain sweeping the ground from late in the second quarter.
Collingwood produced a brilliant eight-goal third quarter and eventually won by 30 points to notch its fourth consecutive flag - a record which still stands and might never be broken.
1935
Collingwood 1.3, 6.6, 8.10,11.12 (78)
South Melbourne 3.6, 4.8, 6.10, 7.16 (58)
Goals – Collingwood: G. Coventry 4, Kyne 2, Pannam 2, A. Collier, H. Collier, Stackpole.
South Melbourne: Davies 2, Moore 2, Kelleher, McEarchen, Nash.
Best – Collingwood: H. Collier, Regan, A. Collier, Kyne, Froude, Rumney.
South Melbourne: Clarke, Hillis, Austin, Diggins, McKenzie, Kelleher.
Crowd: 51,154 at the MCG.
Umpire: Scott.
1935 Premiership Team
B: J. Ross, C. Dibbs, H. Rumney
HB: B. Woods, J. Regan, F. Froude
C: J. Carmody, M. Whelan, L. Morgan
HF: L. Riley, A. Kyne, V. Doherty
F: K. Fraser, G. Coventry, A. Pannam
FOLL: R. Collier, P. Bowyer, H. Collier (c)
RES: K. Stackpole
Coach: Jock McHale
Collingwood can consider itself fortunate to have won the 1935 premiership as the player it feared most for the grand final was struck down on the eve of the big match in the most sensational circumstances.
Champion South Melbourne full-forward Bob Pratt was stepping off a tram in Prahran when struck by an oncoming truck and, although not seriously injured, was ruled out of the Grand Final.
Pratt had kicked 103 goals for the season and, significantly, had booted six goals in the Southerners’ 21-point win over Collingwood in the second semi-final. Collingwood then defeated Richmond by 28 points in the preliminary final, but how would they have countered Pratt’s brilliance in the grand final?
Collingwood’s stroke of good fortune meant South had to shuffle its side, bringing in Herb Matthews to play in the centre and switching Roy Moore to full-forward. Although South controlled the first quarter, it was obvious Pratt’s absence had unsettled the red and white. Collingwood, largely through the brilliance of ruckman Albert Collier and his rover brother Harry, won by 20 points.
1936
Collingwood 3.6, 7.16, 8.19, 11.23 (89)
South Melbourne 3.4, 5.7, 8.12, 10.18 (78)
Goals – Collingwood: Pannam 5, Todd 4, Knight, Kyne.
South Melbourne: Pratt 3, Johnson 2, Moore 2, Evans, Nash, Robertson.
Best – Collingwood: Pannam, Whelan, Kyne, Carmody, Todd, Fraser.
South Melbourne: Robertson, Cleary, Hillis, Richards, Nash, Evans.
Crowd: 74,091 at the MCG.
Umpire: Blackburn.
1936 Premiership Team
B: J. Crowe, J. Regan, B. Woods
HB: J. Ross, K. Fraser, F. Froude
C: J. Carmody, M. Whelan, L. Morgan
HF: L. Riley, A. Kyne, V. Doherty
F: J. Knight, R. Todd, A. Pannam
FOLL: A. Collier, P. Bowyer, H. Collier (c)
Coach: Jock McHale
Collingwood and South Melbourne dominated the competition in the mid-’30s and, with these teams heading the ladder in 1936, fans drooled at the prospect of a Magpies-Swans Grand Final.
South might have finished on top of the ladder with just two defeats, but Collingwood defeated the Southerners by 13 points in a stirring Second Semi-Final.
Then, when South defeated Melbourne by 26 points in the Preliminary Final, every football fan wanted to be at the MCG for the Grand Final.
The match attracted a massive 74,091 attendance, with experts predicting a classic encounter; no-one was disappointed, even though Collingwood appeared set for a comfortable victory when it led by 21 points at half-time.
Ron Todd kicked another goal for Collingwood at the start of the third quarter, but this was immediately followed by a South revival led by speedster Austin Robertson (a world professional sprint champion).
Collingwood’s lead was just seven points at the final break and South could have taken the lead if Bob Pratt had not missed two shots for goal. A late goal by Alby Pannam sealed victory for Collingwood by 11 points in a game hailed as "the match of the century".
1953
Collingwood 2.4, 5.6, 10.10, 11.11 (77)
Geelong 2.3, 3.9, 5.11, 8.17 (65)
Goals – Collingwood: Batchelor 4, R. Rose 3, Healey 2, L. Richards, M. Twomey.
Geelong: Davis 3, Rayson 2, Hovey, McMaster, Trezise.
Best – Collingwood: Healey, Mann, R. Richards, L. Richards, R. Rose, Merrett.
Geelong: B. Smith, Renfrey, Williams, Turner, McMaster, Davis.
Crowd: 89,060 at the MCG.
Umpire: McMurray
1953 Premiership Team
B: L. Sharp, J. Finck, A. Gooch
HB: J. Parker, N. Waller, R. Kingston
C: D. Healey, W. Twomey, R. Richards
HF: P. Twomey, T. Waites, T. Merrett
F: M. Twomey, K. Batchelor, L. Richards (c)
FOLL: N. Mann, W. Rose, R. Rose
RES: W.Weideman, G. Hams
Coach: Phonse Kyne
Geelong undoubtedly was the team to beat in the early ‘50s.
It had star players on every line and, after winning the 1951-2 flags, was confident it could make it a treble of premiership triumphs in 1953.
After all, the Cats had topped the home and away ladder for the third consecutive season and had been defeated only three times. However, one of those three defeats was at the hands of Collingwood - by 20 points - at Kardinia Park late in the season.
Collingwood defeated Geelong by 30 points in the second Semi-Final and was quietly confident of achieving its first premiership success for 17 years.
Geelong defeated Footscray by 26 points in the Preliminary Final, but the Magpies knew they had the Cats’ measure.
Play over the first quarter was dour and defensive, with the Magpies determined not to allow the Cats to use their blistering pace. Collingwood rover Bob Rose set his team alight in the second quarter with several brilliant passages of play and the Magpies led by nine points at the main break.
Collingwood then pressed home its advantage with a five-goal third quarter and although Geelong hit back hard in the final term, won by 12 points. Collingwood skipper Lou Richards, later to become the game’s most-loved media commentator, was chaired from the ground in triumph.
1958
Collingwood 2.2, 7.6, 12.9, 12.10 (82)
Melbourne 5.1, 7.4, 7.6, 9.10 (64)
Goals – Collingwood: Beers 2, Bennett 2, Brewer 2, Merrett 2, Weideman 2, Fellowes, M. Twomey.
Melbourne: Adams 2, Barassi 2, Brenchley, Crompton, R. Johnson, McLean, Ridley.
Best – Collingwood: Harrison, Merrett, Bennett, Fellowes, Serong, Gabelich.
Melbourne: R. Johnson, Adams, Beckwith, Williams, McLean, Tunbridge.
Crowd: 97,956 at the MCG.
Umpire: Nash.
1958 Premiership Team
B: R. Reeves, H. Sullivan, R. Gabelich
HB: K. Rose, M. Delanty, P. Lucas
C: B. Gray, J. Henderson, K. Turner
HF: B. Beers, M. Weideman (c), W. Serong
F: M. Twomey, I. Brewer, K. Bennett
FOLL: G. Fellowes, B. Harrison, T. Merrett
RES: K. Smale, R. Greve
Coach: Phonse Kyne
Immediately after Melbourne won its third consecutive flag in 1957, there was enormous public debate over whether the Demons could equal Collingwood’s record of four flags in a row (1937-30).
Melbourne was THE team to beat in the ‘50s and, apart from having a star-studded line-up, was coached by football genius Norm Smith. Melbourne topped the 1958 home and away ladder with just three defeats and then thrashed Collingwood by 45 points in the second semi-final. Equalling Collingwood’s proud record seemed a mere formality.
Collingwood might have bounced back to defeat North Melbourne by 30 points in the preliminary final, but while Melbourne was regarded as the near-perfect football team, Collingwood was regarded merely as a modest team of hard-workers.
However, Collingwood’s pride was at stake and every member of the 1958 grand final team promised coach Phonse Kyne to defend the club’s premiership record.
Kyne sensed that Melbourne would be relying enormously on the inspiration of dynamic ruck-rover Ron Barassi and instructed Barry "Hooker" Harrison to play the Demon tight.
Harrison did not allow his Demon rival a centimetre of space and although the Magpies were without injured skipper Frank Tuck, were brilliantly led by vice-captain Murray Weideman. The heavy ground also suited the Magpies and, with every player committed to the cause, Collingwood pulled off the greatest grand final victory for many years.
Collingwood won by 18 points and still holds alone its proud record of four consecutive league flags.
1990
Collingwood 2.5, 8.9, 11.10, 13.11 (89)
Essendon 2.2, 3.5, 5.6, 5.11 (41)
Goals – Collingwood: Barwick 2, Brown 2, Crosisca 2, Daicos 2, Russell 2, McGuane, Monkhorst, Starcevich.
Essendon: Salmon 2, Grenvold, Kickett, Somerville.
Best – Collingwood: A.Shaw, Russell, Monkhorst, Millane, Francis, Kerrison.
Essendon: Watson, Sporn, T. Daniher, Kickett, Ezard, O’Donnell.
Crowd: 98,944 at the MCG.
Umpires: Rich, Sawers.
1990 Premiership Team
B: S. Kerrison, M. Christian, M. Gayfer
HB: S. Morwood, C. Kelly, G. Crosisca
C: D. Millane, T. Shaw (c), G. Wright
HF: D. Banks, J. Manson, D. Barwick
F: S. Russell, G. Brown, P. Daicos
FOLL: D. Monkhorst, M. McGuane, T. Francis
INTER: J. Turner, C. Starcevich
Coach: Leigh Matthews
Every Collingwood supporter is aware of the heartache that followed the 1958 premiership.
Collingwood played in nine Grand Finals (including the 1977 draw against North Melbourne) to the start of the 1990 season without tasting the ultimate success.
It seemed the Magpies were destined never to win another flag, until former Hawthorn champion Leigh Matthews guided the club to the 1990 Grand Final.
Collingwood finished the home and away season in second position behind Essendon and then drew with West Coast in the Qualifying Final after Eagle forward Peter Sumich missed a last-gasp chance for victory. Collingwood won the replay by 59 points and, importantly, Essendon was forced into a two-week break because of the draw.
Collingwood then defeated the rusty Bombers by 63 points in the second semi-final to emerge as the flag favorite, even though the Bombers defeated West Coast by 63 points in the Preliminary Final.
Although the first quarter of the grand final against Essendon was tight, the Magpies grabbed control with a burst of goals in the second quarter. Collingwood led by 34 points at half-time.
Although Magpie star Gavin Brown earlier had been flattened, his teammates decided to concentrate on the job in hand and, inspired by the late Darren Millane (who played with a broken thumb) and skipper Tony Shaw, Collingwood won by 48 points to ease the pain of a 32-year premiership drought.
2010
Collingwood 3.2, 6.5, 11.8, 16.12 (108)
St Kilda 0.2, 1.8, 4.9, 7.10 (52)
Goals – Collingwood: Sidebottom 2, Didak 2, Wellingham 2, Macaffer 2, Dawes 2, Thomas, Swan, Johnson, O'Brien, Jolly, Goldsack.
St Kilda: Milne 2, Dal Santo, Goddard, Gilbert, Hayes, Koschitzke.
Best – Collingwood: Pendlebury, Jolly, N Brown, Sidebottom, Ball, Shaw, Thomas, Wellingham.
St Kilda: Goddard, Gwilt, Dawson, Gilbert, Jones.
Crowd: 93,853 at the MCG.
Umpires: Chamberlin, Ryan, Rosebury
2010 Premiership Team
B: N. Maxwell (c), N. Brown, A. Toovey
HB: H. O'Brien, B. Reid, H. Shaw
C: S. Wellingham, D. Swan, B. Johnson
HF: A. Didak, T. Cloke, L. Ball
F: D. Beams, C. Dawes, S. Sidebottom
FOLL: D. Jolly, S. Pendlebury, D. Thomas
INTER: J.Blair, B. Macaffer, T. Goldsack, L. Brown
Coach: Mick Malthouse
Collingwood took out the 2010 premiership with an emphatic 56-point win over St Kilda in the Grand Final Replay at the MCG.
The ferocious tackling, suffocating pressure and efficient teamwork that was been a trademark of the Magpies' play that season returned after a misfire a week prior with the Saints largely powerless to stop them on their way to the 16.12 (108) to 7.10 (52) win.
Scott Pendlebury was a worthy Norm Smith Medallist with 29 quality disposals and 11 tackles with Heath Shaw (28 disposals), Dale Thomas (27) and Dane Swan (26) all important.
Luke Ball, a beaten Saints Grand Finalist in 2009, was one of the chief architects of his former side's downfall with a smothering job on the previous week's Norm Smith Medallist Lenny Hayes.
Nathan Brown renewed his tussle with Nick Riewoldt and carried the day in no uncertain terms with the St Kilda skipper largely ineffective and goalless.
Former Swan Darren Jolly was the most influential big man on the ground by a long way with 35 hitouts and a goal.
