Collingwood Forever

Paddy Rowan

By Michael Roberts: By now, the story of Paddy Rowan’s personal journey is so well known as to scarcely need repeating: the promising young country footballer who moves to Melbourne under as assumed name, takes up with Collingwood and forms an intensely close mateship with one of his Magpie teammates, ‘Doc’ Seddon. The two play footy together, cricket together and…

Con McCormack

One thing you’d have to say about Con McCormack is that he loved to move around – whether on the field or off. And the result was a star that flickered only briefly at Victoria Park, but who ended up making major contributions to two sports in three states. Con first came to prominence in 1901 when he starred with…

Mayhem at Victoria Park

on August 3, 2014

The Magpie Army took things too far when Collingwood lost to Sydney at Victoria Park in 1986.

The Presidents: John Hickey

on August 22, 2014

John Hickey served as President between 1977 to 1981.

Andrew Krakouer

One of the most creative small forwards of the early 2000s, Krakouer could well have been the story of 2011 had the Magpies been able to secure their 16th premiership against Geelong. The nifty small forward’s rise from a prison sentence to reborn AFL star was eye-catching, with his twinkle-toed style of play instantly installing him as a fan favourite.…

Vic Park 7: The 1960s Makeover

on August 7, 2014

The new R. T. Rush stand was officially opened at half-time of a game in April 1966.

Wally Lovett

Collingwood’s first ever Indigenous player came to the club in 1982 almost by accident. The Pies had been chasing another player from Heywood, near Portland, and when inviting him to training, asked him if any of his teammates were also worth a look. That player nominated Wally Lovett as a youngster they should talk to. So it was that Lovett…

Len Thompson

Over the years, the Magpies have made something of an art form of throwing promising youngsters in at the deep end – debuting them in finals or massive home-and-away matches such as Anzac Day. But very few Collingwood rookies have had to endure an introduction as torrid as Len Thompson. It wasn’t just that his debut came in a preliminary…

Mick Twomey

Over the years, Collingwood fans have been fortunate enough to be able to regularly thrill to the exploits of some of the game’s greatest high-flyers: from Dick Lee, Jack Regan and Ron Todd, through Billy Picken in the ’70s to Chris Tarrant and Jamie Elliott in the 2000s. To that list should be added a 1950s aerialist whose spectacular leaps…

Bob McCubbin

Bob McCubbin was an outstanding player with Williamstown for much of the 1890s. He twice tried his luck with so-called ‘bigger’ clubs – one of which was Collingwood – but neither adventure turned out as he would have liked. McCubbin – a relative of revered Australian painter Frederick McCubbin – came from Woodend to Williamstown for the 1891 season, and…

A final quarter comeback

on August 3, 2016

A fond memory for those out at Waverley Park in 1987.

Collingwood's Rising Stars

on September 2, 2018

A history of our Rising Star nominations

The coaches: Mick Erwin

on August 25, 2014

Mick Erwin received an early present the day before his 39th birthday – he got to coach Collingwood for the first time.

Here comes Billy

on August 10, 2016

The ultimate finals performer

The Brownlow Medallists: Harry Collier

on August 14, 2014

Harry Collier was 81 when he put his Brownlow Medal around his neck.

Collingwood Cult Figures: Stan Magro

on June 1, 2016

Collingwood fans have always loved their hard-as-nails defenders. And in Stan Magro they had one of the best to take to their hearts.

Daicos confounds Cats

on September 4, 2018

A legend is born in a moment of magic at VFL Park

Collingwood Cult Figures: Leigh Brown

on April 13, 2016

Leigh Brown was the unlikeliest of prototypes. He was rising 27 when he came to Collingwood in 2009 and had played in just about every position on the field without truly owning one.

Leigh Brown

Leigh Brown was the unlikeliest of prototypes. He was rising 27 when he came to Collingwood in 2009, almost universally described as journeyman having already played 181 games with Fremantle and North Melbourne, and had played in just about every position on the field without truly owning one. He had a chunky frame, and could have benefitted with a few…

Terry Waters

It is a minor miracle that Terry Waters ever played for Collingwood. There were four other clubs chasing him, his brother had played for Hawthorn, he neither supported nor even liked Collingwood, and his VFA club wanted to block his path to the VFL. The major stumbling block, however, was much simpler: his mother hated the Magpies! The Waters clan’s…

Collingwood Cult Figures: Kevin Grose

on May 18, 2016

Hard as it is to believe, there was a time when not just about every footballer covered his body with tattoos.

Crossing over

on April 13, 2016

The one thing that has been a key element of Collingwood's relationship with Melbourne throughout their sometimes tempestuous relationship is the well-worn path from one club to the other.

Freo's gift to Collingwood

on August 3, 2014

Collingwood has won its fair share of one-sided contests against Fremantle since the Dockers joined the AFL in 1995.

Taylor's ton

on August 17, 2016

Thirty years on

Phillip Walsh

THE brevity of Phillip Walsh’s time at Collingwood should never diminish the impact he made in one breathtaking season, or underestimate what the club lost in its controversial parting from him. Like a comet, Walsh flashed spectacularly, but all-too-briefly in black and white. He played every game of the 1983 season and was considered the league’s best first-year player. Then…

Birth of the Magpies Pt2

on April 2, 2017

The story of how the Collingwood Football Club came into being

Magpie Faithful Newsletter #2

on June 12, 2019

Hello again Magpie Faithful members – and welcome to our mid-season newsletter. We hope you find something interesting in what follows. Remember to stay in…

Collingwood Cult Figures: Dannie Seow

on April 27, 2016

When Leigh Matthews took over as Collingwood coach, of the players he had in mind for a promotion was a teenager from Montmorency. The youngster had originally been recruited to the club as a 14-year-old, and had not only undoubted talent, but also an interesting back story.

The Jumper

on August 23, 2014

The simple black-and-white striped guernsey has become a part of Collingwood since day one, and has become the most instantly recognisable club symbol of all.

Don Fraser

By Glenn McFarlane: The Army was required to notify next-of-kin when soldiers were either killed or wounded well before those names were released to the newspapers. Yet given the mass number of casualties during the First World War, and the chaos of communication breakdowns, there were going to be cracks in the system – and some with heartbreaking consequences. One…

Dannie Seow

When Leigh Matthews took over as Collingwood coach less than a month into the 1986 season, he promised to unveil a host of young players in the quest for that elusive 14th flag. One of the players he had in mind was a teenager from Montmorency, who had originally been recruited to the club as a 14-year-old, and who had…

One Hit Wonders: Alan Ryan

on May 17, 2017

By Glenn McFarlane, of the Herald Sun IN Collingwood’s long and celebrated history, there have only been two documented cases of Magpie players kicking goals…

Athas Hrysoulakis

Lou Richards loved him; Jack Dyer wasn’t as enamoured for pronunciation reasons, but there was no doubting Athas Hrysoulakis’ popularity with Collingwood fans during his relatively short stint at Victoria Park. Hrysoulakis had undeniable talent, even if his final tally amounted to only 19 games and 15 goals. The kid from Lalor with the cosmopolitan name that Dyer stumbled over…

Steele Sidebottom

Ex-Congupna, Murray Under-18s, Scotch College and Oakleigh Under-18s. He was drafted on the back of a stunning 10 goal effort in the TAC Cup Grand Final. While he did not have great pace Sidebottom’s skills on either side of his body and his great composure made him a player who instantly looked at home at the top level. He had…

Kevin Morris

There was never anything pretentious about Kevin Morris – no matter what colours he wore. As a footballer, he was a ‘what-you-see-is-what-you-get’ kind of player who ran in straight lines regardless of what was coming at him in the opposite direction. As a teammate, he was relied upon to never take a backward step, and his coaches respected him for…

Thorold Merrett

Heading into the 1960 season, Thorold Merrett – the fleet-footed wingman once dubbed a ‘jet-propelled midget’ – could hardly have been in better shape. He had won the two previous Copeland Trophies, had just been named Collingwood’s vice-captain and was playing the best football of what was already a glorious career. All this and he was still only 26 years…

Bill Picken

The true measure of a footballer’s worth has always come during the heat of the finals. Some melt under the pressure; others learn to deal with it over time; and a precious few seem to thrive on the big moments. On that score alone, Bill Picken must rank highly as far as his contribution to the Collingwood Football Club goes…

The Collingwood Logo

on June 2, 2018

The history of our club logo

Billy Boyd

There was no bigger name in football in the 1890s than Essendon champion Albert Thurgood. He was one of the greatest, if not the greatest, players of the era. So when a newspaper described a player as “another Thurgood”, it was worth paying attention. That’s what happened with William ‘Billy’ Boyd, a one-time Collingwood player who seemed to reach his footballing…

Joe Delahunty

By Michael Roberts: The process of appointing Collingwood’s first ever captain was a surprisingly messy one. The subject was discussed at a players meeting at the Yarra Hotel on the morning of the team’s first practice game against the Clifton Football Club in April of 1892. The plan was to get changed there, elect a captain then walk to Victoria…

"The crash to end all crashes"

on August 1, 2014

Des Healey deserved much more than to be just being remembered for his last few seconds as a Collingwood footballer.

Dave Drummond

When Collingwood was casting around for players for its first season of senior football in 1892, it mined obvious sources like local junior clubs. One of those clubs was the Collingwood Imperials (or ‘Collingwood Imps, as they were known), and one of the best players to emerge from that club was a clever centreman by the name of Dave Drummond.…

One Hit Wonders: David King

on June 30, 2017

By Glenn McFarlane, of the Herald Sun Collingwood’s David King had a much shorter league career than his North Melbourne namesake, yet his brief strut…

Victoria Park Timeline

on August 1, 2014

The complete timeline.

Pies v Cats: a finals favourite

on August 30, 2019

By Glenn McFarlane WHO is Collingwood’s greatest finals rival? Plenty would instantly nominate Carlton and more than a few would settle on Melbourne given the…

Pre-game brawl in '94

on August 4, 2014

It's not every game that players are caught pushing and shoving even before the captains had tossed the coin to see which way the teams were kicking.

Con McCarthy

At the end of the 1919 VFL season, Con McCarthy must have felt like the king of the footballing world. In only his fifth season at the top level he had captained Collingwood to a Premiership and was widely considered to have been best on ground in the Grand Final, cementing his standing as one of the best followers in…

Collingwood Districts Players 1919-38

on May 25, 2020

View the complete list of players to represent the Collingwood Districts team between 1919 and 1938.

Under-19s Players - the complete list

on April 27, 2020

Collingwood’s Under-19s teams played a huge role in the club’s history during the 40 years they existed. So many big stars emerged from our thirds…

Mighty Mick's magic moment

on August 3, 2014

Mick McGuane's football career could never be defined by 19 seconds of football.

Collingwood Cult Figures: Phil Carman

on July 6, 2016

The man many were quick to brand the most exciting and talented footballer to wear the Black and White jumper in 20 years

Tom Paterson

Tom Paterson was part of one of Preston’s most well-known early families – and also one of its greatest sporting clans. The Patersons were huge local figures – and no wonder. The family business was an important part of the local community, and five of the patriarch’s sons would go on to enjoy high profile sporting careers with Preston teams…

Phil Carman

When Phil Carman arrived at Collingwood in 1975, many were quick to brand him the most exciting and talented footballer to wear the black and white jumper in 20 years. But he also proved to be every bit as exasperating as he was brilliant. And that combination has ensured, to this day, his standing as a fan favourite – but…

Damien Adkins

A livewire youngster who was extremely light when Collingwood drafted him from Gippsland Under-18s, after he had originally come from Leongatha. He had a learning year in the reserves in 1999 then made his AFL debut in the opening round of 2000 and made an instant impression with his clever use of the ball and three handy goals. Quick and…

Leon Davis

Although he didn’t enjoy the nickname “Neon Leon”, Davis was an instant hit with Collingwood fans in his debut season. Originally from Perth, Davis was likened to Melbourne star Jeff Farmer, with twinkling feet producing excellent evasive skills and during 1999 he progressed from the Perth Under-18s to the senior side where he played mostly on the wing. Once recruited…

John Dellamarta

JOHN Dellamarta had almost the perfect occupation for a defender during four seasons with Collingwood – he worked in the family’s locksmith business. While he wasn’t a traditional lock-and-chain defender, the 185cm, 84kg half-back stood out for a number of reasons and not just for his choice of employment. He had a luxuriant mop of blond hair making him instantly recognisable…

Vic Park 4: Copeland saves Collingwood

on August 7, 2014

With an improving financial position and a Premiership under its belt, the Collingwood Football Club not only survived – it prospered.

Kevin Grose

Hard as it is to believe, there was a time when not just about every footballer covered his body with tattoos. Indeed, when Kevin Grose pulled on the Black and White jumper for the first time in the mid-1970s, tatts on footballers were a relative rarity. Kevin Murray of Fitzroy and Richmond’s Robert McGhie had been famous for theirs, but…

The Queensland connection

on August 3, 2014

Collingwood's experience with Queenslanders hadn't been too kind until a kid called Gavin Crosisca appeared.

Gordon Coventry

When the immortal Dick Lee finally ended his glorious 17-year career in 1922, Collingwood fans were justifiably spooked. How could they possibly replace the man who was not only the game’s greatest forward but also one of the best footballers of all time? Where would they find someone who could be even half as good as Dick Lee? Remarkably, Lee’s…

Vic Park 6: The Social Club

on August 7, 2014

The club was officially opened on 23 April 1941 and proved an instant source of revenue.

James Clement

In a post-season meeting in September 2000, coach Mick Malthouse and recruiting manager Noel Judkins were discussing the characteristics required of the defender Collingwood so desperately required. Judkins offered: “We really need a bloke that’s six foot three, and can run and do the disciplined things, and is good overhead.” Judkins suggested someone he thought  fitted the bill, a Fremantle backman looking for a fresh…

Collingwood Cult Figures: Athas Hrysoulakis

on July 13, 2016

Lou Richards loved him; Jack Dyer wasn't as enamoured for pronunciation reasons, but there was no doubting Athas Hrysoulakis' popularity with Collingwood fans.

A rare partnership

on August 3, 2014

Collingwood's win over Hawthorn in the 1978 second semi-final was a triumph - but it came at a cost.

Stan Magro

Collingwood fans have always loved their hard-as-nails defenders. And in Stan Magro they had one of the best to take to their hearts. Magro, who came to Collingwood from Western Australia in 1977, was ahead of his time in his approach to doing the hard things on the football field. His ferocious tackling, in particular, became famous. Few players hit…

Frank Hailwood

Collingwood was blessed with a wealth of riches when it came to big men in the late 1890s and early 1900s. Bill Proudfoot and Jack Monohan attracted most of the attention in defence, but Frank ‘Charger’ Hailwood – whether forward or in the ruck – was just as valuable to his team, and played  a key role in two Premierships.…

Lee Adamson

Anyone who ever saw him play would not be surprised to learn that the most dramatic moment of Lee Adamson’s career came at the VFL Tribunal. After all, Lee was a hard-at-it defender who was as tough as nails and loved making life hard for his opponents. But in this instance Lee was an innocent and hard-done-by victim – falsely…