Collingwood Football Club

Collingwood Football Club, officially nicknamed The Magpies is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League.

The players wear black and white striped guernseys, similar to the colours of a magpie; thus their emblem, the magpie, and their motto "Floreat pica" ("Flourish Magpies!", or "May the Magpies Prosper!").

Collingwood has won 14 VFL/AFL premierships, behind Essendon and Carlton who have won 16 apiece. They hold the Record for most premierships won in a row, with four wins from 1927 to 1930, and remain the only club to have gone through a full Home and Away season undefeated (in 1929), despite a formidable challenge from arch rival Essendon in 2000 and Geelong in 2008, both sides winning 21 out of the 22 games in the Home and Away Season. Fittingly, Geelong was only beaten by Collingwood in the 2008 season.

The club traditionally represented the working class inner Melbourne suburb of Collingwood, Victoria, however it has since moved its training and administration base to the Gosch's Paddock and the Lexus Centre at Olympic Park in Melbourne. They moved their home games from their traditional suburban home ground, Victoria Park, to the much larger Melbourne Cricket Ground from 2000 onwards.

The Magpies are known for their passionate supporter base, usually referred to as "The Magpie Army". Traditional Melbourne suburban rivalries Essendon^[1], Richmond and Carlton^[2] remain fierce, even though the national league may have diluted this feeling somewhat^[3][4]. Collingwood has gained interstate rivals particular in Port Adelaide & Brisbane, but has retained the reputation in the national competition as the "team everybody loves to hate".^[5]

Historically and especially more recently, Collingwood games have attracted the largest attendances, which in recent times has become a source of pride for supporters. In 1970, 121,696 spectators watched Carlton defeat Collingwood in the grand final, the record attendance for a football game of any code in Australia. Collingwood has the largest membership of the ten Victorian clubs. In the past, a large proportion of Collingwood supporters were Catholic and it was known as "The Catholic Club." in years gone by. ^[6] The average crowd at Collingwood home games in 2007 was 54,898.

The noted Australian playwright David Williamson scripted The Club, a play inspired by the internal politics of Collingwood, although "the club" is never actually specified in the play or film. A film version was made in 1980 and features Collingwood players in speaking and non-speaking roles.^[7][8]

Collingwood's Home and Clash Jumpers

History

Main article: History of the Collingwood Football Club

Formation and Early Years

The Collingwood Football Club was born on the cusp of one of the world's worst depressions in February 1892^[9]. Collingwood played it's first game in the Victorian Football Association, the premier football competition at the time, against Carlton Football Club on the 7 May 1892^[10].

In 1897, Collingwood, along with fellow VFA clubs Fitzroy, Melbourne, St Kilda, Carlton, Essendon, South Melbourne and Geelong split from the VFA and formed the VFL (Victorian Football League). Despite being the youngest club, it did not take long for the Magpies to establish themselves on the new footballing landscape.

During the 1920s and 30's Collingwood was arguably the most successful club, it achieved many things including winning 4 premierships in a row 1927-1930, an undefeated season in 1929, brownlow medalist and the longest ever serving coach Jock McHale, who played for Collingwood from 1902-1921 and coached from 1912-1949.

Recent History

The 1990 Premiership, coached by Leigh Matthews and skippered by Tony Shaw provided relief via a one-sided affair against Essendon, the Magpies going on to record a 48 point victory. Ending a 32 year premiership drought which included eight Grand Final losses and one draw.

Main article: 1990 AFL Grand Final

Unfortunately, however, the club lapsed into a state of decline, their status as a potential powerhouse at the beginning of the decade was reduced with each passing season, the club ultimately earning their second wooden spoon in 1999. But within a few years changed coach, playing list and club president and reached consecutive grand finals in 2002 and 2003. The club now enjoys regular success as one of the in-form teams in the competition, expected to consistently make the finals.

Off field

Collingwood was one of the last clubs to abandon its traditional stadium, the famous inner-city Victoria Park. Collingwood now plays home games at the MCG. It now also has its headquarters situated in the former Glasshouse Entertainment Centre which is now called "The Lexus Centre". This building is also shared with the Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS).

Collingwood continues to be financially viable through the loyal support of its huge following and numerous sponsors. After finishing 2nd in 2002 and 2003 the team fell to 13th and 15th (out of 16) in 2004 and 2005 respectively. This trend has plagued the club since the glory days of pre-World War II VFL football. Since 1958, the club has won only a single VFL/AFL Premiership (the inaugural AFL Premiership in 1990) making them one of the least successful clubs in the modern era. Despite this, the club still has won more individual games, more finals and made more grand-final appearances than any other Victorian club prior to the AFL.

Collingwood captains: (l to r) S. Coventry, C. Tyson, A. Kyne and M. Weidemann.

On 9 March 2007, former Collingwood and Fitzroy defender Gary Pert was appointed the Magpies' CEO, seven weeks after Greg Swann departed for Carlton. In accepting the key Magpie post, Pert quit as a club director and as managing director of Channel 9 in Melbourne. In a press conference, it was stated that Collingwood has budgeted to turnover about $50 million this year. McGuire hopes the new administration will soon double that figure. "A finance administration review has come up with how we are going to turn Collingwood in to its next phase of its life", McGuire said. "What do we do to make ourselves go from a $45 million a year turnover business to a $100 million turnover business? "They sound like big figures but in 1999 we turned over $13 million, so that is where we are heading as a football club."

Rivalries

Collingwood is arguably a fierce rival of each of the other 15 teams in the competition, due to its name, supporters and history. Carlton is the club's most bitter arch rival, with Essendon not far behind. Following this, rivalries with Richmond and Melbourne have faded slightly of late due to the fact that the teams have not enjoyed onfield success at the same time, however the feeling of resentment still lingers, the rivalry between the Magpies and Demons at its hottest between 1955 and 1964, when the two played off in the Grand Final on five occasions, the Magpies managing to hold Melbourne from equalling the club's record of four premierships in succession from 1927-1930 in 1958. The club's two opponents in the themed Rivalry Rounds staged todate have been Carlton (2005-2006) and Richmond (2007-2008). In recent times, rivalries have been sparked with the new interstate clubs, including Port Adelaide, and Brisbane, though it can be argued that the Lions were still major adversaries of the Magpies in their guise as Fitzroy.

The rivalry with Port Adelaide stems from the fact that the Power were also known as the Magpies in their local SANFL competition before switching to the Power when fielding a team in the AFL in 1997 (the Port Adelaide Magpies remain in the SANFL today). Feelings were heightened when Port midfielder Kane Cornes 'flipped the bird' at Nick Davis following the Power's close fought five point victory over the Magpies at AAMI Stadium in round nine, 2002, only moments after Anthony Rocca had missed the opportunity to tie the scores. Jarrod Molloy and Brodie Holland remonstrated with Cornes after the match, with a feeling of hostility lingering after the two sides had left the field. Collingwood managed to pip the Power in the Qualifying Final later in the season in a boilover at the same venue, before repeating the dose at the MCG in the 2003 Preliminary Final, heating up the choking phenomenon directed at the Power. To add to the feeling between the two clubs, the off-field battle over Port's desire to wear Black and White stripes was a major talking point between 2002 and 2007, when a resolution was reached.

Brisbane, meanwhile, first registered on Collingwood's rivalry list in 1999, when they thumped the Magpies in the final fixture at Victoria Park. A tense three point victory over the reigning premiers in front of a packed Colonial Stadium in round 8, 2002 took the Magpies to the top of the league table. Hostilities were renewed in that season's Grand Final, the Lions holding off a brave Collingwood by nine points on a wet afternoon. The situation became even more prominent the following season, when the two clubs clashed on four occasions. The Lions staved off the Magpies at the Gabba in round four before thrashing them in Heritage Round in round 19. Collingwood got its own back in the Qualifying Final, when Alan Didak broke the deadlock late in the final term, with two superb goals from the boundary line. However, it was the Lions who had the final say, walloping Collingwood in the Grand Final. This match was so tense that one sydney based magpies fan even suffered a stroke during the 3/4 break. In 2004's Grand Final, Brisbane, playing against Port Adelaide, threatened to equal Collingwood's record of four premierships in a row, resulting in many Collingwood fans being forced to put aside the Port Adelaide rivialry on the day, even wearing the Black and White colours in temporary support of Port.

The Lions battered and bruised the injury-riddled Magpies throughout 2004 and 2005 but Collingwood got its own back in round 10, 2006, six Nathan Buckley goals breaking the Lions backs under the Saturday night lights of the MCG. The night signalled the end of Blake Caracella's playing career, crunched by former teammate Tim Notting in the second term, very nearly paralysing the Magpie forward. After Collingwood won its first match in Queensland since 1995 in round 9, 2007, the Lions again had the final say, Jared Brennan's seven goals piloting a 15-goal pasting of the Magpies in round 17.

Records

Premierships:

VFA: (1)

1896

VFL/AFL:

• Seniors: (14)

1902 1903 1910 1917 1919 1927 1928 1929 1930 1935 1936 1953 1958 1990

• Reserves: (7)

1919 1920 1922 1925 1940 1965 1976

• Under 19s: (4)

1960 1965 1974 1986

• Pre-Season/Night Series Premierships: (1)

1979

• McClelland Trophy:(5)

1959 1960 1964 1965 1966

• Runners Up: (25)Record

1901 1905 1911 1915 1918 1920 1922 1925 1926 1937 1938 1939 1952 1955 1956 1960 1964 1966 1970 1977 1979 1980 1981 2002 2003

• Undefeated In the Home and Away Season

1929

• Wooden Spoons:(2)

1976 1999

Current playing list

Squad Changes for 2009

Ins

• Anthony Corrie (traded from Brisbane for draft pick 93)
• Sharrod Wellingham (promoted rookie)
• Brent Macaffer (promoted rookie)
• Steele Sidebottom (National Draft selection 11)
• Dayne Beams (National Draft selection 29)
• Jarrad Blight (National Draft selection 45)
• Luke Rounds (National Draft selection 46)
• Leigh Brown (National Draft selection 73)

Rookie

• Lachlan Keeffe (pre-selected rookie as per AFL's non-registered players rule)
• Scott Reed (NSW scholarship rookie selection)

Outs

• Ryan Lonie (retired)
• Shane Wakelin (retired)
• Scott Burns (retired)
• Brodie Holland (delisted)
• Sam Iles (delisted)
• Chris Egan (delisted)
• Luke Casey-Leigh (delisted)
• Rhyce Shaw (traded to Sydney with pick 61 for pick 46)

Individual awards

Best and Fairest

Further information: Copeland Trophy

Brownlow Medal winners

• Syd Coventry (1927)
• Albert Collier (1929)
• Harry Collier (1930 tied)
• Marcus Whelan (1939)
• Des Fothergill (1940 tied)
• Len Thompson (1972)
• Peter Moore (1979)
• Nathan Buckley (2003 tied)

Champions of the Colony

• Bill Strickland (1896)
• Dick Condon (1898)
• Fred Leach (1900)
• Ted Rowell (1902)
• Dick Lee (1910, 1915)
• Syd Coventry (1927, 1929)
• Gordon Coventry (1933)
• Harry Collier (1936)
• Jack Regan (1938)

Leigh Matthews Trophy winners

• Darren Millane (1990)

Coleman Medal winners

• Ian Brewer (1958)
• Peter McKenna (1972, 1973)
• Brian Taylor (1986)

Norm Smith Medal winners

• Tony Shaw (1990)
• Nathan Buckley (2002)

E.J Whitten Medalists

• Gavin Brown (1989,1997)

Mark of the Year winners

• Billy Picken (1976)
• Chris Tarrant (2003)

Goal of the Year winners

• Peter Daicos (1991)
• Mick McGuane (1994)
• Leon Davis (2008)

All Australians

• Gavin Brown (1991, 1994)
• Nathan Buckley (1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2003)
• James Clement (2004, 2005)
• Alan Didak (2006)
• Tony Francis (1991)
• Des Healey (1953)
• Mick McGuane (1992)
• Peter McKenna (1972)
• Paul Medhurst (2008)
• Peter Moore (1979)
• Geoff Raines (1985)
• Michael Richardson (1983)
• Bob Rose (1953)
• Chris Tarrant (2003)
• Len Thompson (1972)
• Terry Waters (1969)
• Ricky Watt (1969)

Australian International Rules Representatives

• Gavin Brown (1990)
• Nathan Buckley (1998), (1999 - captain)
• James Clement (2002)
• Alan Didak (2004)
• Scott Pendlebury (2008)
• Dale Thomas (2008)

Notable records

• Greatest winning margin: 178 points R4, 1979 (VP) - Collingwood 31.21 (207) v St Kilda 3.11 (29)

Records set by players

• Most matches: Tony Shaw - 313 (1977-1994)

• Most consecutive matches: Jock McHale - 191 (1906-1917) - VFL record until 1943

• Most goals kicked in a match: Gordon Coventry - 17 goals 4 behinds (R12, 1930, VP)

• Most Best & Fairests: Nathan Buckley - 6 (1994, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003)

• Most matches as coach: Jock McHale - 714 (1912-1949)¹

• Most matches as captain/acting captain: Nathan Buckley - 162 (1999-2006)

• Most goals in a season: Peter McKenna - 143 (1970)

• Most goals by a single person: Gordon Coventry - 1299 (1920-1937) - VFL/AFL record until 1997

Team of the Century

Collingwood announced its team of the century on 14 June 1997, celebrating 100 years since the beginning of the VFL. Gavin Brown was added as the 4th interchange player in 2002, as when the team was named in 1997, only three interchange players were permitted on a team. ^[11]

Captains

• This list comprises every captain of the club. This list doesn't include deputy captains filling in due to an injury to the named captain, but does include captains named after a player retires or steps down during the season.

Club song

"Good Old Collingwood Forever" is the official anthem of the Collingwood Football Club. It is sung to the tune of "Goodbye, Dolly Gray".

The famed song is generally sung, in accordance to common football tradition, after a victory. It is also played before every match.

It is said to be the first club song in VFL/AFL history. The words were written and introduced in 1906 by Tom Nelson who was a young Collingwood player at the time.

Collingwood in the VFA/VFL

From 2000 to 2007 Collingwood was associated with the Williamstown Football Club. However the desire by Collingwood to re-establish a VFL Collingwood side in 2007 saw the end of that association. As of 2008 Collingwood did just that and is the first AFL team to return fully to VFA/VFL competition. As in the AFL, they are called "The Magpies" however the current Home ground of the new Collingwood VFL side, due to the selling of Victoria Park and the lack of viable facilities at the Lexus Center rather ironically is Visy Park, otherwise known as Princes Park, the home of bitter AFL rivals Carlton Football Club.

Collingwood in popular culture

• David Williamson's 1977 stage play, The Club, was inspired by the backroom dealings and antics of the Collingwood Football Club; although Collingwood is never mentioned by name. The 1980 film version of the play — directed by Bruce Beresford and starring John Howard, Jack Thompson, Graham Kennedy and Frank Wilson[1] — is set at Collingwood, and featured Collingwood players in speaking and non-speaking roles. The film was completely shot on location at Victoria Park, both inside and on the actual oval.^[12]

See also

• List of Collingwood players
• List of Collingwood Football Club coaches
• History of the Collingwood Football Club

References

External links

• Official website of the Collingwood Football Club
• Collingwood Magpies Discussion Forum on BigFooty.