https://forever.collingwoodfc.com.au The complete history of Australia's greatest sporting club Tue, 30 Jan 2024 23:13:09 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.0.21 https://forever.collingwoodfc.com.au/players/luke-ball/ Wed, 16 Jul 2014 12:03:01 +0000 http://forever.collingwoodfc.com.au/players/luke-ball/ When he finally made his debut in early 2003 he looked as if he had been on the League scene for years. His anticipation and vision were keynotes of his play and he had an impressive debut year apart from a couple of mid-season injuries. In 2009 he seemingly fell out of favour at St Kilda with two stints in the reserves before returning just before the finals. He was only on the ground for 54 per cent of the Grand Final, but did well in that time. messy break with St Kilda saw him request a trade to Collingwood before going into the draft and being picked at No.30. He produced a strong year and capped it off with a premiership medallion, ironically against his old side. Ball refused to claim any vindication and he was widely lauded for his humility. He had an even better year in 2011, but injured a knee in round three of 2012 and missed the rest of the year. He returned two months into 2013 and remained solid until the end, bowing out twelve months later.]]> https://forever.collingwoodfc.com.au/players/dayne-beams/ Wed, 16 Jul 2014 12:02:58 +0000 http://forever.collingwoodfc.com.au/players/dayne-beams/ https://forever.collingwoodfc.com.au/players/leigh-brown/ Wed, 16 Jul 2014 12:02:58 +0000 http://forever.collingwoodfc.com.au/players/leigh-brown/ Collingwood website forums were sceptical when Brown’s name was called out as pick No. 73 in the 2008 National Draft after being delisted by the Kangaroos following an extended stint in their VFL side. Even in his infancy in Black and White, when the issue of tanking was raging, a throw-away line from AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou – “Leigh Brown played on Jonathan Brown the other night … was that tanking?’ – questioned his position in the team. Fast forward to the end of the 2010 season, and Brown had not only cemented his place in the team, he had enshrined it in Collingwood’s history. And the icing on top of a premiership cakewalk was that he had also played a unique part in establishing a template for the rest of the AFL competition. In playing that role, as an undersized but physically strong forward/back-up ruckman to Darren Jolly, he also become a cult figure of sorts to the black and white army, and remains one now well into his retirement. Mick Malthouse saw the competitive streak that coursed through Brown’s veins, and crafted a role for him. He explained: “I thought, ‘this bloke’s still going around and can play league football? He can take a nice catch; he kicks the ball OK; he plays at either end of the ground.’ I couldn’t really work out why he would be discounted in the ranks of perhaps being able to play a role within any organisation.” Originally from the timber and dairy farming hamlet of Heyfield, a community of less than 2000 residents, Brown had come to prominence with Gippsland Power in the TAC Cup. He was drafted by Fremantle as pick No. 5 in the 1999 National Draft. He won a Rising Star nomination in his debut year of 2000, missing only one game for the year. But after three years and 63 games, he was traded to North Melbourne where he became a defender who could go forward, or vice versa, across six seasons and 118 more matches. That could well have been the end of the Leigh Brown story. But when he was delisted by the Kangaroos, Malthouse figured he was worth a late draft punt after impressing in some pre-season training with the Pies. Brown only required a chance: “A journeyman is how everyone describes it, but to me it’s more about having a new opportunity and playing at the best level you can.” Most assumed he would take up a defensive role, given the retirement of Shane Wakelin. He did, for a time. But Malthouse began to use Brown more in attack, as well as offering some coverage as a back-up ruck option. Brown reached his 200-game milestone in round 20, 2009, and finished the season with 10.17, with his goal-kicking accuracy at times causing fans some concern. Still, he played in all three finals that season, including kicking a towering 50m goal in the club’s Semi-Final win over Adelaide. Brown played on the edge, never feeling secure about his position within the team. Just to emphasise this, after playing the first four games of 2010 without registering a goal, he was dropped back to the Pies’ VFL side. It wasn’t until the round 11 clash with the Western Bulldogs that he won his spot back again, but other than a short suspension served near the end of the home and away season, he wouldn’t look back again. Neither did the Magpies. He played in only one loss (round three) from his 19 games that memorable season, courtesy of his redefined role. He played the role so well that it kept Josh Fraser out of the senior team for all but game in the second half of the season. Malthouse preferred the combative Brown over Fraser when it mattered. It worked so well that the one-time unfashionable footballer quickly became a versatile trailblazer for the rest of the competition. Some people dubbed it as “the Leigh Brown role.” He had almost 100 hit-outs that season and his pressure, tackling and pack-crashing in the Magpies’ front half proved crucial in many instances. He hit the scoreboard, kicking 21 goals to silence those worried about his accuracy. Two came in the Qualifying Final win over the Bulldogs, and few will ever forget his booming goal against Geelong in the Preliminary Final. Brown thrived in the role, saying: “I’m not sure we can classify it as a Leigh Brown role, but I guess everyone’s got to be more versatile.” Nick Maxwell explained: “He (Malthouse) copped a lot of flak for backing in ‘Leroy’. Mick made people eat their words. Now all clubs seem to be talking about needing a Leigh Brown-type as a second ruck.” Never mind the fact that Brown didn’t kick a goal in either Grand Final in 2010 against St Kilda – the thrilling draw or the one-sided replay. In the drawn game he took an important mark in the last quarter, had 13 touches and laid five tackles. In the rooms after the game, complete with swollen eye and ice packs applied to both legs, he described the feeling was “surreal … it would have been great to win, but it wasn’t to be. We’ll saddle up next week.” Brown had the first kick of the replay the following week, driving the ball long into attack. Once more, he had 13 disposals, but as was always the case with Brown, he contributed far more than pure statistics can measure. He was rewarded with a premiership medal that looked so unlikely only a few years earlier, and with it came the admiration from a grateful Collingwood army who had taken him to their collective hearts. Yet he wasn’t satisfied with that. Brown took his game – and his role – even further in 2011, as rival clubs looked to mirror Collingwood’s second-ruck strategy, particularly with the introduction of the sub rule that year. He kicked 23 goals for the season – his most in an individual year – with four goals against the Western Bulldogs in round six his best display in what was a blistering start to the season for the club. On the eve of the 2011 finals, Brown dropped a bombshell, announcing he would retire at the end of the season. He was only 29, and still a crucial member of the team. Malthouse was “staggered” by the decision. But Brown resolved to give it everything he had during the finals. He kicked a goal against West Coast in the Qualifying Final and another major halfway through the third quarter of the Grand Final against Geelong, which regained the lead for the Magpies. But the fairytale ending was not meant to be. The Cats ran away with the match in the final half hour. That closed out his 246-game, 138-goal AFL career. Sixty-five games and 54 goals came in a black and white jumper. This journeyman had finally found a home – and a role that he relished. Such was the esteem in which he was held that he was presented with the Darren Millane Memorial Trophy as best clubman as a farewell gift. With that also came life membership, a reward for Collingwood premiership players. Brown embarked on a coaching pathway after retiring, spending two years as an assistant at Melbourne before seeing his career return full circle when he took over as coach of Gippsland Power. The Magpies struggled for a time afterwards in getting the right balance for their second ruck option. Sometimes you don’t truly appreciate something until it is gone.]]> https://forever.collingwoodfc.com.au/players/chris-dawes/ Wed, 16 Jul 2014 12:02:57 +0000 http://forever.collingwoodfc.com.au/players/chris-dawes/ In 2006, his final year of schooling, he played for Sandringham in the TAC Cup U18 competition, as well as for Brighton Grammar, but injured a knee during the season. He required a full reconstruction that meant he slipped down the order in the National Draft. He was selected by Collingwood with pick No. 28. Dawes was forced to sit out the majority of the 2007 season due to his knee construction. He recovered in time to return via the Williamstown reserves mid-season, kicking seven against Bendigo in his second reserves match. He kicked four goals in his VFL debut for Williamstown against Port Melbourne late in the home and away season in Nathan Buckley’s comeback match and ended the year on a bright note, playing two VFL finals. He started 2008 in the VFL, playing in each of the first 16 matches of the season. He struck a purple patch midway through the season when he kicked 11 goals in five matches. As luck would have it, he timed his run superbly, kicking five goals in wet conditions at Kardinia Park only days before senior teammates Alan Didak and Heath Shaw were suspended for the season. It resulted in Dawes’ debut alongside John McCarthy against St Kilda the following week. He did his reputation no harm, kicking two goals (including the first of the match with his first kick). He was quiet until the Elimination Final against Adelaide at Football Park when he kicked three goals in only his sixth match. Had played in two finals by year’s end, providing an excellent launching pad for 2009. Dawes played in two pre-season matches but was forced to wait until round 13 before he returned to the senior side. He could manage only three more games and despite impressing against the Crows in round 19 (15 disposals, two goals, seven hitouts) he was omitted before the finals. He continued to work hard in the VFL, kicking 28 goals and earning plaudits for his performances in the finals. In 2010, a year that loomed as make-or-break in Dawes’ career, the power forward established himself as a fixture in the senior side and was a key figure in the premiership win. Promoted to the team for Anzac Day in round five, Dawes kicked seven goals in his next three games. He was demoted to the VFL team for a fortnight (kicking five goals in a losing side against the Northern Bullants at Victoria Park) but was quickly recalled and never looked back. His season output peaked in round 14 (four goals against West Coast) and round 20 (20 possessions and two goals against Essendon) and he earned his first Brownlow vote with three goals against Port Adelaide. A steady performer in the finals, Dawes went goalless in the drawn Grand Final but fired up with two second half goals to end his breakout season with 30 majors. He made a brilliant start to 2011, playing in the pre-season premiership, while an increased fitness base meant that he was able to make a greater contribution around the ground illustrated by his 26 disposal, two goal game against North Melbourne in round two. He remained a weekly contributor until breaking his knuckle in round 15. Calf issues further compounded his rehab, and it meant he was forced to wait until round 23 to make a return. He helped keep Collingwood in the game in the famous Preliminary Final against Hawthorn, kicking three goals including the all-important first of the last quarter. But Dawes subdued on Grand Final day and did not look like his normal self. Ahead of 2012, Dawes was earmarked to spend more time as a relief ruckman following the retirement of Leigh Brown. While he fought admirably, at 193cm, he was unable to have the impact he and new coach Nathan Buckley would have been aiming for. He had a quiet season in front of goal, kicking just 16 from 23 games, but lifted in the Qualifying Final when he collected 20 disposals. He hurt his knee against West Coast the following week and underwent an extensive rehabilitation program to ensure he was fit to take on Sydney in the Preliminary Final. Sadly, that night proved Dawes’ last in a Black and White jumper, ending his 71-game stint with a goal from 11 disposals. At season’s end he was traded to Melbourne. Collingwood received selection No. 20 (Tim Broomhead) as compensation. Dawes battled injuries in his first year with the Demons but notched his 100th career game in 2014.]]> https://forever.collingwoodfc.com.au/players/nathan-j-brown/ Wed, 16 Jul 2014 12:02:55 +0000 http://forever.collingwoodfc.com.au/players/nathan-j-brown/ https://forever.collingwoodfc.com.au/players/ben-reid/ Wed, 16 Jul 2014 12:02:54 +0000 http://forever.collingwoodfc.com.au/players/ben-reid/ https://forever.collingwoodfc.com.au/players/alan-toovey/ Wed, 16 Jul 2014 12:02:52 +0000 http://forever.collingwoodfc.com.au/players/alan-toovey/ https://forever.collingwoodfc.com.au/players/heath-shaw/ Wed, 16 Jul 2014 12:02:48 +0000 http://forever.collingwoodfc.com.au/players/heath-shaw/ Although he was mooted as a potential debutant early in 2004, Shaw made his AFL debut late in 2005 and had an impressive start as he demonstrated his ball-winning skills in defence. To start 2006 he was a late call up against Hawthorn in round 2 after having won 35 touches for Williamstown the previous day. After that, he played in all the remaining games and rapidly became a major component of the team as a running, penetrating half-back who could launch constant attacks, as illustrated when he won the ANZAC Day Medal in 2007. His influence was so strong that by the end of the season, opposing teams were allocating negating forwards to the job of limiting him. Always busy on the field, he had been diagnosed with ADD as a kid, and his energetic style endeared him to the hearts of the Collingwood faithful. He was touted as a future leader after he ran fourth in the 2007 best and fairest and continued the momentum into early 2008 but his form wasn’t quite as consistent. His season ended dramatically when the club suspended him after round 18 when he and teammate Alan Didak found themselves in off-field strife. He admitted later that it shook his feeling of being invulnerable. He responded in the best way possible by running third in the 2009 best and fairest and at the start of 2010 he joined the leadership group. A fine year ended with a premiership for the Magpies and he provided a highlight of the Grand Final Replay when he desperately lunged to smother a Nick Riewoldt kick from the square. In late 2011 he was suspended for eight games (with a further six suspended) in a football betting scandal, but he bounced back to continue as one of the foremost running half backs in the competition. Unfortunately, a number of undisciplined acts in 2013 left him on the outer and he was placed on the trade market, being traded to Greater Western Sydney in exchange for Taylor Adams.]]> https://forever.collingwoodfc.com.au/players/nick-maxwell/ Wed, 16 Jul 2014 12:02:42 +0000 http://forever.collingwoodfc.com.au/players/nick-maxwell/ https://forever.collingwoodfc.com.au/players/dane-swan/ Wed, 16 Jul 2014 12:02:40 +0000 http://forever.collingwoodfc.com.au/players/dane-swan/ In the years that followed, Swan made incredible improvement to the point where he became the 2011 Brownlow Medalist, and earned the label of ‘untaggable’ from many commentators. A strongly built midfielder who is dangerous if released to half forward, Swan’s unique ability to repeatedly out-sprint his opponents, allowing him to power from contest to contest, made him Collingwood’s most consistent player of the Malthouse-Buckley era. Criticised earn on by some for his occasionally errant kicking, Swan’s disposal was soon considered to be as good as any other. His barrel chest meant he could hunt down the ball at the stoppages and explode away from them courtesy of his deceptive pace. Far from a front runner, Swan averaged 84.4 tackles between 2007 and 2011. He also had ability to make himself a threat in attack, be it around stoppages, outrunning his opponent when the side’s in possession and when isolated one-out where his underrated ability overhead made him the complete package. After a disappointing and injury-plagued 2014, he returned to stellar form in 2015, running second in the Copeland Trophy. He began the 2016 campaign well, starring during the NAB Challenge, only for a rare foot injury suffered minutes into the season opener against Sydney to end both his season and his career.]]>