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/mchales-mighty-nephew/ Fri, 07 Oct 2016 00:46:51 +0000 http://forever.collingwoodfc.com.au/?p=10813 By: Glenn McFarlane of the Herald Sun It’s generally well known that Collingwood’s legendary mentor Jock McHale coached his son, John, later known as ‘Jock Jr., in the early 1940s. But what is less widely recognised is that McHale’s nephew was also a part of the club during its most difficult decade – as a consistent defender and follower. His name was Jack Murphy, and he played 169 games across 10 seasons. Such was his ability and impact on the club that he won the Copeland Trophy as a 23-year-old, in 1941, which must have been a source of pride for his uncle. Neither McHale, nor his nephew, particularly advertised their kin, though neither did they shy away from it. Murphy’s mum, Sarah, was McHale’s sister, but there was never any question of special treatment from the coach. Whatever success he came across, he had to fight just as hard as the other players did. Murphy was born in Coburg, where the McHale family had lived for a number of years, on 1 February, 1918. He attended Marist Brothers School and an obituary decades later spoke of his tales of “of bread and dripping” dished up during the economic calamity of the Great Depression. Fortunately, he possessed strong sporting genes and took on many pastimes, including football, running and boxing. He played football during the winter months and honed his professional foot running in the summer months. Boxing was, for a time, a passion, but Murphy’s parents convinced him that it was too dangerous – for his opponents at least. He was recruited from Caulfield to Victoria Park in 1936, as an 18-year-old, and shone in a practice match with teenage future star Des Fothergill. He made his senior debut in round nine, 1937, kicking a goal in his first match. There were only five senior games that came his way that season, but it was a sign he was making an impression with his club and his coach. Murphy played as a defender in the reserves team in the curtain-raiser to the 1937 Grand Final, but the Magpies lost the seniors and the seconds’ games. Only five more games followed in 1938, but he enjoyed a breakthrough season the following year, playing 16 games, including the losing 1939 Grand Final to Melbourne. The Australasian spoke of his potential ahead of the 1940 season, saying “the nephew of Jock McHale … played on the half back flank with dash and success.” That same year it was noted that his off-season foot running had contributed to his “speed off the mark” on the football field.” Murphy’s best season came in 1941, when he won the Copeland Trophy, as a dashing defender who also spent some time in the ruck. The “solid follower and defender” won the award ahead of two genuine stars – Alby Pannam (second) and Jack Regan (third). Off the field, he was a tradesman, with a background in blacksmithing and welding, and he married Patricia in 1942, with the pair having nine children. During the war years he was employed in essential services, in making some of the army vehicles that were sent off to war. Through his football journey, he was elected vice-captain by the players and even filled in at times as stand-in for regular skipper Phonse Kyne. He also represented Victoria in state football, was a founding Collingwood Social Club member as well as club life member. Described as “one of Collingwood’s most reliable players” on the eve of his last season (1947), he was one of the mainstays of McHale’s team through the tough early years of the war and was still a valuable member during the 1945 and ’46 finals campaigns. In one game in 1946, the Sporting Globe recorded: “Jack Murphy, Collingwood’s safe and dashing in defence, and untiring in the ruck, against more rangy opponents, was the star. (He) has struck form quickly and is now one of the best utility players in the league.” He could an attacking defender but was also hard around the ball, giving as good as he got, and never shirking any contests. Kyne lamented Murphy’s decision to leave ahead of the 1948 season, saying: “We will miss Jack Murphy but didn’t we miss Ron Todd, and Des Fothergill, when they went to Williamstown. We simply had to set to and build players to replace them.” That was a compliment of the highest order for Jock McHale’s nephew, who himself was on the road to being a great coach at lower levels. He coached Cobden in the western districts, a team that won two flags during his tenure before taking Shepparton to its first Goulburn Valley League flag. He also helped to elevate Mooroopna up the ladder. That would have made old Jock proud.]]> https://forever.collingwoodfc.com.au/a-football-enigma/ Mon, 03 Oct 2016 23:44:49 +0000 http://forever.collingwoodfc.com.au/?p=10805 Wes Fellowes was in many ways a football enigma at Collingwood. The powerfully-built ruckman with a Black and White pedigree earned the club’s highest individual honour in a season in which he even scored an invite to the Brownlow. By the time the next season started, however, he had been dropped back to the reserves. Seemingly, throughout his entire 10-season, 102-game career with Collingwood, his place in the senior side was on a knife’s edge, as he competed for a spot against the likes of big men David Cloke, James Manson and, later still, a young Damian Monkhorst. Such was the frequency of Fellowes’ revolving door between the seniors and reserves following his 1986 Copeland Trophy win that the Coodabeen Champions penned a song in his honour. It was written to the tune of Abba’s Fernando, and was titled ‘You’ve been dropped again, Wes Fellowes.” Even through his most celebrated season, he came in for criticism from unforgiving fans – and sometimes even his coach – for his attack on the ball and competitive edge. Wes inherited his Black and White connection from his father, Graeme, who was a member of Collingwood’s famed 1958 premiership side. Graeme, who had played 66 games across eight seasons, once acknowledge his son’s passion for the club, saying: “he was born and bred Collingwood.” The other thing he inherited from his father was a giant frame – both stood 200cm. But as Wes spent more and more time in the weights room at Victoria Park, he transformed his frame into an exceptionally powerful one, only heightening the calls from the outer for him to use it more. Having been recruited from Bulleen-Templestowe, he made his senior debut as a 20-year-old in round 13, 1981, against St Kilda at Victoria Park. It was Peter Moore’s 150^th game and there were hopes that the debutant – who kicked a goal – might one day be able to take over the ruck mantle. Fellowes didn’t get another chance that season. But when Collingwood imploded and tumbled down the ladder the following season, he had more regular game time, playing 16 games and having 320 hit-outs in 1982. But his body let him down over the next few seasons. In 1983 he had cartilage removed from his knee, restricting him to 13 games. Then ankle surgery in 1984 kept him to 12 matches, though he regained his spot late in the season to play in all three finals. He enjoyed a strong second half of the season in 1985, polling 10 Brownlow votes, the same tally as Cloke. That season appeared to give him the confidence he needed and he repaid the faith of the selectors in 1986 by playing all but one man as the first choice ruckman. Considered a strong tap ruckman, a solid mark around the ground and relatively dependable with his disposal, Fellowes had a strong season. While he polled four fewer votes in the 1986 Brownlow than the previous year, he was a clear winner of the Copeland Trophy, scoring by 11 votes from Bruce Abernethy and third-year player Darren Millane. His form was such that one of the league’s new franchises, Brisbane, made him a lucrative offer that he dismissed out of loyalty to the club. It would be a decision he would later question as his opportunities diminished over the following years. Coach Leigh Matthews challenged Fellowes to be more aggressive after his Copeland success, as well instructing him to stop turning back on the play. In the pre-season after, Matthews said: “Fellowes had an up-and-down season, despite winning the best and fairest. He can be a more valuable player.” It was hardly the ringing endorsement for the reigning club champion winner, who was just about to turn 26. Fellowes was left out of the senior team for the round one, 1987 clash with Sydney – a precursor for what was ahead. He managed 17 games that season, but slipped back to only five games in 1988 and just a solitary game in 1989. The expectation of the Collingwood faithful turned to frustration. They questioned why someone as physically imposing as the 106kg big man did not always use it. One newspaper explained: “When you are as big as Wes, the public’s expectations are always just as big. When your name is Fellowes, they are twice that size.” And even media commentator Lou Richards conceded: “Too often, too easily, Fellowes falls out of the game, and the Magpies’ hopes crash with him.” To his credit, Fellowes never complained publicly, even when the criticism was at times too personal and occasionally unfair due to his limited opportunities. “I guess sometimes it could be true, but I go for the ball, that’s the way I play,” he said of the criticism of his aggression. “But if someone hits me or a teammate, I’ll just go and hit them back if I have to.” “I say I’ll be out there trying my hardest. You can’t do any better than that, can you?” There was talk – denied by the club – Fellowes, Ron McKeown and Athas Hrysoulakis were considered for a trade that never happened with Footscray’s Tony McGuinness. Cloke returned to Richmond in 1990, and Manson and Monkhorst locked in the ruck roles, leaving Fellowes on the outer – again. He did not play a senior game in a drought-breaking premiership season that he had often dream about. He was delisted in March 1991, after the club had allowed him to keep training to keep in shape as he looked to other opportunities at a rival AFL club. Sadly, that never came, and he was overlooked in the draft. That surprised his first coach at Collingwood, Tom Hafey, who said: “I am absolutely staggered he wasn’t drafted.” In keeping with his character, Fellowes didn’t lash out at the club or cry foul, but admitted to a little frustration with how he was managed. “I suppose people didn’t want to play me,” he said. “It was their choice whether I played or not. I suppose I’m sorry I didn’t go (elsewhere earlier), but that’s the way it goes.” He signed a two-year deal with Port Adelaide in the SANFL and enjoyed a strong season, in 1991. But he didn’t take up the final year of the deal and opted to return to Melbourne to concentrate on his professional career with the tax office, rather than football. But with a Copeland Trophy on his mantelpiece, Fellowes’ place in Collingwood’s history will live on forever.]]> https://forever.collingwoodfc.com.au/honour-roll/ Mon, 18 Aug 2014 11:09:00 +0000 http://forever.collingwoodfc.com.au/?p=6721 Year Pos. Coach Captain Copeland Trophy Leading Goalkicker 1892 13 Joe Delahunty George Anderson/ Archie Smith 12 1893 9 Bill Strickland George Anderson 20 1894 8 Bill Strickland Archie Smith 25 1895 2 Bill Strickland Archie Smith 27 1896 1 Bill Strickland Wal Gillard 13 1897 3 Bill Strickland Archie Smith 15 1898 3 Bill Proudfoot Archie Smith 31 1899 4 Bill Proudfoot Archie Smith 17 1900 4 Dick Condon Archie Smith 21 1901 2 Dick Condon Ted Rowell 31 1902 1 Bill Proudfoot Ted Rowell 33 1903 1 Lardie Tulloch Ted Lockwood 35 1904 3 Bill Strickland Lardie Tulloch Charlie H. Pannam 24 1905 2 Dick Condon Lardie Tulloch Charlie H. Pannam 38 1906 3 Dick Condon Charlie H. Pannam Dick Lee 35 1907 4 Ted Rowell Alf Dummett Dick Lee 47 1908 4 Ted Rowell Arthur Leach Dick Lee 54 1909 3 Bill Strickland Arthur Leach Dick Lee 58 1910 1 George Angus George Angus Dick Lee 58 1911 2 George Angus George Angus Tom Baxter 31 1912 7 George Angus Jock McHale Les Hughes 13 1913 4 Jock McHale Jock McHale Les Hughes 22 1914 5 Jock McHale Dan Minogue Dick Lee 57 1915 2 Jock McHale Dan Minogue Dick Lee 66 1916 3 Jock McHale Dan Minogue Dick Lee 48 1917 1 Jock McHale Percy Wilson Dick Lee 54 1918 2 Jock McHale Percy Wilson Tom Wraith 26 1919 1 Jock McHale Con McCarthy Dick Lee 56 1920 2 Jock McHale Dick Lee Ern Utting 23 1921 3 Jock McHale Dick Lee Dick Lee 64 1922 2 Jock McHale Tom Drummond Gordon Coventry 42 1923 5 Jock McHale Harry Curtis Gordon Coventry 36 1924 6 Jock McHale Charlie Tyson Gordon Coventry 28 1925 2 Jock McHale Charlie Tyson Gordon Coventry 68 1926 2 Jock McHale Charlie Tyson Gordon Coventry 83 1927 1 Jock McHale Syd Coventry Syd Coventry Gordon Coventry 97 1928 1 Jock McHale Syd Coventry Harry Collier Gordon Coventry 89 1929 1 Jock McHale Syd Coventry Albert Collier Gordon Coventry 124 1930 1 Jock McHale Syd Coventry Harry Collier Gordon Coventry 118 1931 4 Jock McHale Syd Coventry Harold Rumney Gordon Coventry 67 1932 3 Jock McHale Syd Coventry Syd Coventry Gordon Coventry 82 1933 6 Jock McHale Syd Coventry Gordon Coventry Gordon Coventry 108 1934 4 Jock McHale Syd Coventry Albert Collier Gordon Coventry 105 1935 1 Jock McHale Harry Collier Albert Collier Gordon Coventry 88 1936 1 Jock McHale Harry Collier Jack Regan Gordon Coventry 60 1937 2 Jock McHale Harry Collier Des Fothergill Gordon Coventry 72 1938 2 Jock McHale Harry Collier Des Fothergill Ron Todd 120 1939 2 Jock McHale Harry Collier Marcus Whelan Ron Todd 121 1940 8 Jock McHale Jack Regan Des Fothergill Des Fothergill 56 1941 5 Jock McHale Jack Regan Jack P.J Murphy Alby Pannam 42 1942 11 Jock McHale Phonse Kyne Alby Pannam Alby Pannam 37 1943 10 Jock McHale Jack Regan No award Alby Pannam 40 1944 10 Jock McHale Pat Fricker No award Lou Richards/Bob Galbally 26 1945 3 Jock McHale Albie Pannam No award Des Fothergil 62 1946 3 Jock McHale Phonse Kyne Phonse Kyne Des Fothergil 63 1947 5 Jock McHale Phonse Kyne Phonse Kyne Neil Mann 48 1948 3 Jock McHale Phonse Kyne Phonse Kyne Lou Richards 44 1949 4 Jock McHale Phonse Kyne Bob Rose Jack Pimm 34 1950 7 Phonse Kyne Gordon Hocking Charlie Utting Lou Richards 35 1951 3 Phonse Kyne Gordon Hocking Bob Rose Maurie Dunstan 40 1952 2 Phonse Kyne Lou Richards Bob Rose Maurie Dunstan 43 1953 1 Phonse Kyne Lou Richards Bob Rose Bob Rose 36 1954 7 Phonse Kyne Lou Richards Neil Mann Keith Bromage 22 1955 2 Phonse Kyne Lou Richards Des Healey Ken Smale 47 1956 2 Phonse Kyne Neil Mann Bill Twomey Ken Smale 33 1957 5 Phonse Kyne Bill Twomey Murray Weideman Ian Brewer 26 1958 1 Phonse Kyne Frank Tuck Thorold Merrett Ian Brewer 73 1959 4 Phonse Kyne Frank Tuck Thorold Merrett Murray Weideman 36 1960 2 Phonse Kyne Murray Weideman Ray Gabelich Murray Weideman 30 1961 9 Phonse Kyne Murray Weideman Murray Weideman Kevin Pay 31 1962 7 Phonse Kyne Murray Weideman Murray Weideman Murray Weideman 48 1963 8 Phonse Kyne Murray Weideman Des Tuddenham Terry Waters 50 1964 2 Bob Rose Ray Gabelich Ian Graham Terry Waters/Ian Graham 42 1965 3 Bob Rose Ray Gabelich Trevor Steer David Norman 32 1966 2 Bob Rose Des Tuddenham Terry Waters Ian Graham 58 1967 4 Bob Rose Des Tuddenham Len Thompson Peter McKenna 47 1968 7 Bob Rose Des Tuddenham Len Thompson Peter McKenna 64 1969 3 Bob Rose Des Tuddenham Barry Price Peter McKenna 98 1970 2 Bob Rose Terry Waters Peter McKenna Peter McKenna 143 1971 4 Bob Rose Terry Waters Wayne Richardson Peter McKenna 134 1972 4 Neil Mann Wayne Richardson Len Thompson Peter McKenna 130 1973 3 Neil Mann Wayne Richardson Len Thompson Peter McKenna 86 1974 4 Neil Mann Wayne Richardson Wayne Richardson Peter McKenna 69 1975 5 Murray Weideman Wayne Richardson Phil Carman Phil Carman 41 1976 12 Murray Weideman Des Tuddenham Robert Hyde Phil Carman 38 1977 2 Tom Hafey Max Richardson Len Thompson Peter Moore 76 1978 3 Tom Hafey Len Thompson Bill Picken/ Ray Shaw Peter Moore 57 1979 2 Tom Hafey Ray Shaw Peter Moore Craig Davis 88 1980 2 Tom Hafey Ray Shaw Peter Moore Craig Davis 52 1981 2 Tom Hafey Peter Moore Mark Williams Peter Daicos 76 1982 10 Tom Hafey/Mick Erwin Peter Moore Peter Daicos Peter Daicos 58 1983 6 John Cahill Mark Williams Bill Picken Michael Richardson 49 1984 3 John Cahill Mark Williams Tony Shaw Mark Williams 53 1985 7 Bob Rose Mark Williams Mark Williams Brian Taylor 80 1986 6 Bob Rose/Leigh Matthews Mark Williams Wes Fellowes Brian Taylor 100 1987 12 Leigh Matthews Tony Shaw Darren Millane Brian Taylor 60 1988 4 Leigh Matthews Tony Shaw Peter Daicos Brian Taylor 73 1989 5 Leigh Matthews Tony Shaw Gavin Brown Brian Taylor 49 1990 1 Leigh Matthews Tony Shaw Tony Shaw Peter Daicos 97 1991 7 Leigh Matthews Tony Shaw Tony Francis Peter Daicos 75 1992 5 Leigh Matthews Tony Shaw Mick McGuane Peter Daicos 52 1993 8 Leigh Matthews Tony Shaw Mick McGuane Saverio Rocca 73 1994 8 Leigh Matthews Gavin Brown Gavin Brown/Nathan Buckley Saverio Rocca 49 1995 10 Leigh Matthews Gavin Brown Saverio Rocca Saverio Rocca 93 1996 11 Tony Shaw Gavin Brown Nathan Buckley Saverio Rocca 66 1997 10 Tony Shaw Gavin Brown Gavin Brown Saverio Rocca 76 1998 14 Tony Shaw Gavin Brown Nathan Buckley Saverio Rocca 68 1999 16 Tony Shaw Nathan Buckley Nathan Buckley Saverio Rocca 33 2000 15 Michael Malthouse Nathan Buckley Nathan Buckley Anthony Rocca 33 2001 9 Michael Malthouse Nathan Buckley Paul Licuria Chris Tarrant 53 2002 2 Michael Malthouse Nathan Buckley Paul Licuria Chris Tarrant/ Anthony Rocca 38 2003 2 Michael Malthouse Nathan Buckley Nathan Buckley Chris Tarrant 54 2004 14 Michael Malthouse Nathan Buckley James Clement Chris Tarrant 36 2005 15 Michael Malthouse Nathan Buckley James Clement Chris Tarrant 36 2006 7 Michael Malthouse Nathan Buckley Alan Didak Anthony Rocca 55 2007 3 Michael Malthouse Nathan Buckley Travis Cloke Anthony Rocca 54 2008 6 Michael Malthouse Scott Burns Dane Swan Paul Medhurst 50 2009 4 Michael Malthouse Nick Maxwell Dane Swan John Anthony 50 2010 1 Michael Malthouse Nick Maxwell Dane Swan Alan Didak 41 2011 2 Michael Malthouse Nick Maxwell Scott Pendlebury Travis Cloke 69 2012 4 Nathan Buckley Nick Maxwell Dayne Beams Travis Cloke 59 2013 8 Nathan Buckley Nick Maxwell Scott Pendlebury Travis Cloke 68 2014 11 Nathan Buckley Scott Pendlebury Scott Pendlebury Travis Cloke 39 2015 12 Nathan Buckley Scott Pendlebury Scott Pendlebury Jamie Elliott 35 2016 12 Nathan Buckley Scott Pendlebury Scott Pendlebury Alex Fasolo 25 2017 13 Nathan Buckley Scott Pendlebury Steele Sidebottom Jamie Elliott 34 2018 2 Nathan Buckley Scott Pendlebury Brodie Grundy / Steele Sidebottom Jordan De Goey 48 2019 4 Nathan Buckley Scott Pendlebury Brodie Grundy Brody Mihocek 36 2020 6 Nathan Buckley Scott Pendlebury Taylor Adams Brody Mihocek 25 2021 17 Nathan Buckley/Robert Harvey Scott Pendlebury Jack Crisp Brody Mihocek 34 2022 3 Craig McRae Scott Pendlebury Jack Crisp Brody Mihocek 41 ]]>