Collingwood Football Club

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Collingwood Football Club
Collingwood Football Club logo
Names
Full nameCollingwood Football Club
Nickname(s)The Magpies, Pies, Maggies, The Woods
2007 season
Leading goalkickerAnthony Rocca
Best and fairestTravis Cloke
Club details
Founded1892
ColoursBlack  and White 
CompetitionAustralian Football League
ChairmanEddie McGuire
CoachMichael Malthouse
Captain(s)Scott Burns
Ground(s)Melbourne Cricket Ground
Yarra Park
Melbourne
(capacity: 100,000 capacity)
Other information
Official websitewww.collingwoodfc.com.au

Collingwood Football Club, officially nicknamed The Magpies, is an Australian rules football club involved, and playing 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.

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 however and has retained the reputation in the national competition as the "team everybody loves to hate".[5]

Historically Collingwood games have attracted large 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.[6] The average crowd at Collingwood home games in 2007 was 54,898.

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[7]. 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[8].

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.

File:Magpiecaptains.jpg
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. 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.

Other information

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.[9][10]

The Magpies have been known as "The team people love to hate" and are less respected than other AFL teams, with many people outwardly and unitedly expressing their enjoyment at Collingwood's misfortune. As a result of this disrespect, Collingwood remain unseen underdogs throughout most games they play. When Collingwood experiences success, due credit is only given if the nature of the success is of massive historical importance, an example of this is Collingwood's 4 premierships in a row being respected by many rival supporters. The Magpies were once known as "The Flatties" because the suburb of Collingwood is geographically flat.

The Jock McHale Medal is an award given to the coach of the winning premiership team in the Australian Football League. It is named in honour of coaching games record-holder, Collingwood player/coach Jock McHale, and has been awarded since 2001 and retrospectively awarded back to 1950.

Collingwood will field its own team in the Victorian Football League competition as of 2008, after ending its alignment with the Williamstown Football Club after season 2007.

Support

Collingwood has the highest average attendance of any club in Australia including the recent 2006 & 2007 seasons. It is known for regularly attracting high attendances regardless of whether they're home or away games, this includes interstate games where Collingwood regularly draws the highest crowd for that particular interstate team, for the entire year (excluding the grand final). Good examples of this are the records the club holds for highest ever AFL attendance in New South Wales of 72,393 versus Sydney in 2003 and Queensland of 37,224 versus Brisbane in 2005. In 2006 the average home attendance was 52,883, and in 2007 it was 54,898.

In 2008, after 10 games, the club has an average attendance of 62,457 or 624,571 people in total and an average home attendance of 76,955 or 384,775 people in total. Attendance at Collingwood games account for around 20% of the total attendance for the entire league, well above the 6.25% each club would average if all 16 teams had equal attendance. It attracted the highest attendance for 8 of the 10 rounds thus far, 7 of which were over 50,000 including 5 over 70,000. Only one game has attracted a crowd of more than 70,000 with Collingwood absent (the season opening game between Richmond and Carlton).

It is suspected the club has many more supporters than it does members, this is most obvious in the club's average attendance being far higher than it's total membership. It is often speculated how many Collingwood supporters actually rarely attend matches during the season, this can be seen in the fact that Collingwood games broadcast on TV attract far higher ratings than any other club's telecast games, primarily in Melbourne audiences, when versing interstate teams. Even though the club regularly draws high attendances, many Collingwood supporters are still at home watching the games on TV, thus drawing the conclusion that the club has a large unseen supporter base. This correlates with the club's larger income from merchandise than many other Victorian teams.

Many draw attention to the fact that Collingwood achieves such high support even though they're one of many Victorian teams and not representing an entire city as is the case with interstate sides, this is also the case with Essendon, Carlton and Richmond who also enjoy high attendances despite the fact that they all represent suburbs within a 10 km radius rather than an entire city.

In its early years much of the clubs support came from the then-working-class inner suburbs of Melbourne, but in the 1920s particularly, it is said the club picked up more wealthy fans. Today the club's fans are mixed high/low income earners and it is suspected the majority of Collingwood's supporters live in Melbourne's northern & eastern inner & outer suburbs, this is prevalent during train rides home after games particularly on Belgrave/Lilydale lines on which most supporters are wearing Collingwood colours, flags, jumpers, etc. Its supporters living interstate are known for their regular attendance during matches held in their state.

Membership

File:Floggers.jpg
Collingwood supporters celebrating a goal

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

1959 1960 1964 1965 1966

  • Runners Up: (25)

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

1976 1999

Current playing list

Year Members Finishing position
1984 16,313 3rd
1985 16,857 7th
1986 13,971 6th
1987 9,500 12th
1988 11,985 4th
1989 13,620 5th
1990 14,806 1st
1991 18,469 7th
1992 18,921 5th
1993 21,882 8th
1994 20,843 8th
1995 22,543 10th
1996 20,752 11th
1997 22,761 10th
1998 27,099 14th
1999 32,358 16th
2000 28,932 15th
2001 31,455 9th
2002 32,549 2nd
2003 40,445 2nd
2004 41,128 13th
2005 38,612 15th
2006 38,038 7th
2007 38,790 4th
Collingwood Football Club
Senior list Rookie list Coaching staff

Head coach

Assistant coaches

Legend:
  • (c) Captain(s)
  • (vc) Vice-captain(s)
  • Long-term injury list
  • Upgraded rookie
  • (B) Category B rookie

Updated: 1 July 2008
Source(s): Playing list, Coaching staff


Squad Changes for 2008

Ins

Rookie

Outs

Individual awards

Best and Fairest

Further information: Copeland Trophy

Brownlow Medal winners

Champions of the Colony

Leigh Matthews Trophy winners

Coleman Medal winners

Norm Smith Medal winners

E.J Whitten Medal winner

Gavin Brown (1989,1997)

Mark of the Year winners

Goal of the Year winners

All Australians

Australian International Rules Representatives

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 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 captain/acting captain: Nathan Buckley - 162 (1999-2006)
  • 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 June 14 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. [1]

Collingwood Team of the Century
B: Harold Rumney Jack Regan Syd Coventry (Captain)
HB: Billy Picken Albert Collier Nathan Buckley
C: Thorold Merrett Bob Rose Darren Millane
HF: Des Fothergill Murray Weideman Dick Lee
F: Phonse Kyne Gordon Coventry Peter Daicos
Foll: Len Thompson Des Tuddenham Harry Collier
Int: Tony Shaw Wayne Richardson Marcus Whelan
Gavin Brown
Coach: James "Jock" McHale

[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 Theme Song

Good old Collingwood forever, we know how to play the game.

Side by side we stick together, to uphold The Magpies name.

    • Gor Blimey**

See the barrackers a shouting, as all barrackers should,

Oh, the premiership's a cakewalk For the good old Collingwood.

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 MC Labour 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[2] — 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]
  • In an Australian version of a play by Adam Kreuzer, based on the film The Wanderers, the Ducky Boys (The Irish Catholic gang) are all Collingwood Football Club supporters.

See also

References

  1. ^ Another classic Sheedy moment
  2. ^ Richmond - Sleeping Giants of the AFL
  3. ^ AFL arch rivals - a thing of the past?
  4. ^ Rival without a cause
  5. ^ Hall trains and is ready for Pies
  6. ^ Membership.html
  7. ^ A Century Of The Best, Michael Roberts p.viii pub:1991
  8. ^ A Century Of The Best, Michael Roberts p.x pub:1991
  9. ^ The Illustrated Collingwood Encyclopedia, Glenn McFarlane and Michael Roberts, 2004
  10. ^ Collingwood Forever, Gavin Brown, 1997
  11. ^ The AFL Record Guide to Season 2006
  12. ^ McFarlane, G. & Roberts, M., The Illustrated Collingwood Encyclopedia, 2004; Brown, G., Collingwood Forever, 1997.

External links

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