COLLINGWOOD historian Michael Roberts* has undertaken one of the most daunting tasks in football — choosing the best 25 Magpies players in order. This is not the club’s list, but his own personal selection, as told to Glenn McFarlane.
Having followed the Magpies since the days when Peter McKenna ruled the Victoria Park goal square, Roberts has sifted through the statistics and honour rolls, has cast back through his encyclopaedic mind and conducted extensive research through the early years of the Collingwood Football Club to reach his final 25.
It was a long and painstaking selection process with a firm criteria which ruled out a number of prominent players who did not qualify.
Roberts, the author of more than a dozen books on the club’s history, admitted it was one of the most difficult exercises he has encountered, but he chose his players without fear or favour, bringing the together champions of the past and the present.
TOP 25 COLLINGWOOD PLAYERS FROM THE PAST 125 YEARS
1. BOB ROSE
1946-1955
152 games, 214 goals
2nd in Brownlow Medal (1953), 4 Copeland Trophies (1949, ‘51, ‘52, ‘53), Club Leading Goalkicker (1953), AFL and Collingwood Hall of Fames, Collingwood Team of the Century (centre), premiership (1953)
Roberts’ view: “This was, in many ways, the toughest choice — Rose or Buckley for No. 1? In the end, Rose just gets the nod. He ‘only’ won four Copelands to Bucks’ six, but all four came in Collingwood finals years, two in Grand Finals and one in a flag. Runner-up in ‘53 Brownlow. And he retired at just 27 to coach in the country, so who knows what else he might have achieved in a longer career. A brilliant, tough rover/centreman whose X-factor — regarded by many as the most inspirational player of his time — gives him the edge.”
2. NATHAN BUCKLEY
1994-2007
260 games, 263 goals
Brownlow Medal (2003), 6 Copeland Trophies (1994, ‘96, ‘98, ‘99, 2000, ‘03), Norm Smith Medal (2003), Captain (1999-2007), Best finals player (2003), AFL and Collingwood Hall of Fames, Collingwood Team of the Century (half back).
Roberts’ view: “Peerless between 1994 and 2003, in particular, and a model of consistently elite-level performance. Six Copelands and seven all-Australians speaks for itself.”
3. SYD COVENTRY
1922-1934
227 games, 62 goals
Brownlow Medal (1927), 2 Copeland Trophies (1927, ‘32), Champion of the Colony (1927, ‘29), Captain (1927-’34), Best finals player (1932), AFL and Collingwood Hall of Fames, Collingwood Team of the Century (back pocket), 4 premierships (1927-30)
Roberts’ view: “Widely recognised as one of the club’s greatest leaders but still underrated as a pure footballer. As a follower whose reading of the game was second to none, he won a Brownlow and the equivalent of four Collingwood best-and-fairests in some of the best teams we’ve ever put on the park.”
4. ALBERT COLLIER
1925-1930, 1933-1939
205 games, 54 goals
Brownlow Medal (1929), 3 Copeland Trophies (1929, ‘34. ‘35), Best finals player (1935), AFL and Collingwood Hall of Fames, Collingwood Team of the Century (centre half-back), 6 premierships (1927-’30, ‘35-’36)
Roberts’ view: “His late-career reputation as a strongman obscures just how good he was as a younger player. Debuted at just 15 and could mark, kick and run with the best of them. Dominated games from centre half-back. Sensational player.”
5. HARRY COLLIER
1926-1940
253 games, 299 goals
Brownlow Medal (1930), 2 Copeland Trophies (1928, ‘30), Champion of the Colony (1936), Best finals player (1926), Captain (1935-’39), AFL and Collingwood Hall of Fames, Collingwood Team of the Century (rover), 6 premierships (1927-’30, ‘35-’36),
Roberts’ view: “Not only an outstanding rover but also the heart-and-soul of the Machine who came to be regarded as the benchmark for what it meant to play with the famed Collingwood ‘spirit’.”
6. DICK LEE
1906-1922
230 games, 707 goals
2 Champion of the Colony awards (1910, ‘15), 10 times VFL Leading Goalkicker (1907-’10, ‘14-’17, ‘19, ‘21); 11 times Club Leading Goalkicker (1906-’10, 1914-’17, ‘19, ‘21), Captain (1920-’21), AFL and Collingwood Hall of Fames, Collingwood Team of the Century (half-forward), 3 premierships (1910, ‘17, ‘19)
Roberts’ view: “How is this guy not a legend in the AFL Hall of Fame? Has more League goalkicking titles to his name than any forward in history, despite playing in an area of low scores. A freakishly talented player who could do it all, and the game’s first great aerialist. A crowd-pleaser from the start.”
7. PETER DAICOS
1979-1993
250 games, 549 goals
2 Copeland Trophies (1982, ‘88), 5 times Club Leading goalkicker (1981-’82, 1990-’92), Best finals player (1988), AFL and Collingwood Hall of Fames, Collingwood Team of the Century (forward pocket), premiership (1990)
Roberts’ view: “No amount of stats could ever do justice to the thrill of watching Daics play. He could make the football talk, and the game come alive. Collingwood has never possessed a more balanced or more finely skilled footballer. It’s often overlooked just how good he was as a midfielder, and his freakish feats as a forward will never be forgotten. Made footy great to watch.”
8. GORDON COVENTRY
1920-1937
306 games, 1299 goals
1 Copeland Trophy (1933), Champion of the Colony (1933), 6 times VFL Leading Goalkicker (1926-’30, ‘37), 16 times Club Leading Goalkicker (1922-’37), AFL Legend, AFL and Collingwood Hall of Fames, Collingwood Team of the Century (full-forward), 5 premierships (1927-’30, ‘35)
Roberts’ view: “The second most prolific goalkicker in VFL/AFL history. Great at using his body, the stickiest hands in the business and a reliable kick for goal. Incredibly durable too.
9. LEN THOMPSON
1965-1978
268 games, 217 goals
Brownlow Medal (1972), 5 Copeland Trophies (1967-’68, 1972-’73, 1977), Best finals player (1972, ‘77), Captain (1978), AFL and Collingwood Hall of Fame, Collingwood Team of the Century (ruck)
Roberts’ view: “Five Copelands and a Brownlow came the way of a player who redefined what it meant to be a ruckman. First of the really athletic big champions, his palming was a joy to behold.”
10. SCOTT PENDLEBURY
2006 — present
243 games, 155* goals
5 Copeland Trophies (2011, ‘13-’16), Norm Smith Medal (2010 Replay), Best player in finals (2011-12), Anzac Medal (2010, ‘11), captain (2014-’17), premiership (2010)
Roberts’ view: “Extraordinarily durable and consistent, and his uncanny ability to create time and space where none seemingly exist will be his lasting trademark. Exquisite player to watch, and his ranking might yet rise by the time his career finishes.”
11. DES FOTHERGILL
1937-1940, 1945-1947
111 games, 337 goals
Brownlow Medal (1940), 3 Copeland Trophies (1937-’38, ‘40), VFL Leading Goalkicker (1946), 3 times Club Leading Goalkicker (1940, ‘45-’46), Best finals player (1937-’38), AFL and Collingwood Hall of Fames, Collingwood Team of the Century (half-forward).
Roberts’ view: “Debuted at 16 and by the age of 20 had won three Copelands and a Brownlow. Only his departure to the VFA, and then the Second World War, stopped him from being one of the absolute greats of our game, and in Collingwood’s Top 5.”
12. DANE SWAN
2003-2016
258 games, 211 goals
Brownlow Medal (2011), 3 Copeland Trophies (2008-’10), Leigh Matthews Trophy (2010), Best finals player (2008, ‘10, ‘13), Premiership (2010)
Roberts’ view: “Love him. Really wanted to get him into the Top 10.”
13. PHONSE KYNE
1934-1944, 1946-50
245 games, 237 goals
3 Copeland Trophies (1946-’48), Captain (1942, ‘46-49), AFL and Collingwood Hall of Fames, Collingwood Team of the Century (forward pocket), 2 Premierships (1935-’36)
Roberts’ view: “Magnificent as a forward or ruckman, and could play key defence too. Underrated.
14. JACK REGAN
1930-1941, 1943, 1946
196 games, 3 goals
Copeland Trophy (1936), Champion of the Colony (1938), Captain (1940-’41, ‘43), AFL and Collingwood Hall of Fames, Collingwood Team of the Century (fullback), 2 Premierships (1935-’36)
Roberts’ view: “The Prince of fullbacks. Brought artistry and flair to a position that had previously been known for dourness.”
15. WAYNE RICHARDSON
1966-1978
277 games, 323 goals
2 Copeland Trophies (1971, ‘74), Captain (1971-’75), Best finals player (1967), AFL and Collingwood Hall of Fame, Collingwood Team of the Century (interchange)
Roberts’ view: “Super consistent and one of the game’s great accumulators and users.”
16. GAVIN BROWN
1987-2000
254 games, 195 goals
3 Copeland Trophies (1989, ‘94, ‘97), Captain (1994-’98), Best finals player (1990), AFL and Collingwood Hall of Fames, Collingwood Team of the Century (interchange), Premiership (1990)
Roberts’ view: “Crazily courageous, skilled and quick enough to play wing but also played key forward and even back. Loved and admired by all at Collingwood.”
17. MURRAY WEIDEMAN
1953-1963
180 games, 262 goals
3 Copeland Trophies (1957, ‘61-’62), Captain (1960-’63), 3 times Club Leading Goalkicker (1959-’60, ‘62), AFL and Collingwood Hall of Fames, Collingwood Team of the Century (centre half-forward), 2 Premierships (1953, ‘58)
Roberts’ view: “Don’t let the Enforcer tag fool you, he could play too. A superb centre half-forward.”
18. BILL PICKEN
1974-1983, 1986
212 games, 46 goals
2 Copeland Trophies (1978, ‘83), Best finals player (1975, ‘78-’79, ‘81), Collingwood Hall of Fame, Collingwood Team of the Century (halfback flank)
Roberts’ view: “Best finals player I’ve seen and one of the game’s great high-flyers, despite playing in defence. Another fan favourite.”
19. TONY SHAW
1978-1994
313 games, 157 goals
2 Copeland Trophies (1984, ‘90), Norm Smith Medal (1990), AFL and Collingwood Hall of Fame, Collingwood Team of the Century (bench), Premiership (1990)
Roberts’ view: “His leadership in 1990 would have just about got him a spot on its own. But combine it with two Copelands and the club’s games record and his overall contribution is immense.”
20. PETER McKENNA
1965-1975
180 games, 838 goals
Copeland Trophy (1970), 2 times VFL Leading Goalkicker (1972-’73), 8 times Club Leading Goalkicker (1967-’74), Best finals player (1969-’70), AFL and Collingwood Hall of Fame
Roberts’ view: “Forget the popularity and records and fan-worship (though I was one of them): a brilliant lead and still regarded as one of the finest kicks the game has seen.”
21. DES TUDDENHAM
1962-1971, 1976-1977
182 games, 251 goals
Copeland Trophy (1963), Captain (1966-’69, ‘76), Best finals player (1969), AFL and Collingwood Hall of Fames, Collingwood Team of the Century (ruck-rover)
Roberts’ view: “Inspirational skipper who changed games by sheer force of will.”
22. PETER MOORE
1974-1982
172 games, 193 goals
Brownlow Medal (1979), 2 Copeland Trophies (1979-80), Best finals player (1979), Captain (1981-82), 2 times Club Leading Goalkicker (1977-’78), AFL and Collingwood Hall of Fames
23. THOROLD MERRETT
1950-1960
180 games, 148 goals
2 Copeland Trophies (1958-’59), Collingwood Hall of Fame, Collingwood Team of the Century (wing), 2 Premierships (1953, ‘58)
Roberts’ view: “A dazzling wingman with the most lethal left foot in the game.”
24. DARREN MILLANE
1984-1991
147 games, 78 goals
Copeland Trophy (1987), Leigh Matthews Trophy (1990), Collingwood Hall of Fame, Collingwood Team of the Century (wing), Premiership (1990)
Roberts’ view: “Another whose impact on games could never be measured in stats alone.”
25. DICK CONDON
1894-1900, 1902-1906
149 games, 101 goals
Champion of the Colony (1898), Captain (1899-1900), Two Premierships (1902-’03)
Roberts’ view: “A very tough call for the last spot. In the end, the fact that Jock McHale, among others, would later rate him the best player they’d seen justifies his inclusion despite his many indiscretions.”
UNLUCKY TO MISS OUT
Those last few spots really could have gone to any one of a dozen or more players. Charlie Pannam Snr was particularly close, and it was almost a toss-up between him and Dick Condon. Apologies also to Marcus Whelan, Neil Mann, Mick McGuane, Jimmy Clement, Bill Proudfoot and of course Lou Richards, whose playing record doesn’t quite get him over the line.
THE CRITERIA
The following factors were taken into account when putting this list together:
- Minimum 100 games for Collingwood (which rules out big names like Ron Todd, Phil Carman and Bill Strickland)
- Copeland Trophy wins and placings, plus other club awards, especially best finals player, Hall of Fame and Team of the Century
- Brownlow Medals, AFL Hall of Fame inclusion
- Leadership and inspirational qualities
- X-factor. The indefinable something that lifts some players above others.
- Watching and research. For those players I didn’t see (pre-1965), extensive newspaper research and interviews with players as far back as the Machine era.
*Michael Roberts is the Collingwood historian and author of more than a dozen books on the Collingwood Football Club. His latest book, out this week, is Champions of Collingwood — the 125 Greatest Magpies, co-authored with the Herald Sun’s Glenn McFarlane.
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