5 greatest players in Collingwood Magpies history
Boasting some of the greatest players in AFL history, the Collingwood Magpies have a healthy reputation. Below, we have five of the Magpies’ greatest players ever. These five have left an indelible mark on the club and the game at large with their skill, leadership, and dedication through the decades, from the VFL era to the AFL.
5 greatest players in Collingwood Magpies history
5.Albert Collier (1925-1930, 1933-1939)
Albert Collier, fondly known as 'Leeter’ was one of the most formidable footballers of his era. His career began at the young age of 15. He was recruited by the Collingwood Magpies from Ivanhoe alongside his brother Harry in 1924. He would go on to kick 54 goals in 205 games.
His decorated career had him adorned with a Brownlow Medal (1929), three Copeland Trophies (1929, 1934, 1935), Best Finals Player (1935), six premierships (1927, 1928, 1929, 1930, 1935, 1936), and an Austral Cup (1928). Collier would later be inducted into the CFC Hall of Fame (2004) and the AFL Hall of Fame (1996).
The forward/center half-back was celebrated for his strength, fearless play, and remarkable skills. At the height of the Great Depression in 1931, he left Collingwood for Tasmania where he served as player/coach, winning the William Leitch Medal, Tasmanian State premiership, and Tasmanian Southern League, before returning home to Collingwood in 1933.
4. Gordon Coventry (1920-1937)
When Gordon Coventry ended his prestigious 17-year career in 1937, fans of the Collingwood Magpies were understandably anxious. At the age of 18, Coventry played his first game as a Magpie against St. Kilda in 1920. He would go on to evolve into one of the club’s most remarkable players.
Coventry became the first player to kick 100 goals in a season, finishing his career with an incredible 1,299 goals. His record stood until just before the 21st century in 1999.
Some of his achievements and honors include; VFL/AFL Leading Goalkicker (1926, 1927, 1928, 1929, 1930, 1933), Champion of the Colony (1933), Austral Cup (1929), 16-time Leading Goalkicker/Gordon Coventry Trophy (1922, 1923, 1924, 1925, 1926, 1927, 1928, 1929, 1930, 1931, 1932, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937) and AFL Hall of Fame (1996).
3. Syd Coventry (1922-1934)
Syd Coventry was Collingwood’s greatest ever ‘triple threat’. In his time, and even after it, few others could identify as superior to him in skill. Arguably the club’s best captain ever, he led the Collingwood Magpies to 149 games, 115 of which were won. Under his leadership, the team had a winning ratio of 77 percent, which remained a VFL/AFL record for many years until it was beaten by the Geelong Cats’ Tom Harley.
In 1922, Coventry debuted with the Magpies and went on to play 18 games in that same season, kicking two goals in the VFL Grand Finals in the same. He played for 13 years, won the Brownlow Medal (1927), Best Finals Player (1932), and two Copeland Trophies (1927, 1932), and played in four Premierships (1927, 1928, 1929, 1930). Later in 2004, he was inducted into the CFC Hall of Fame and the AFL Hall of Fame in 1996.
Syd Coventry then capped off his dedication to the Magpies with an 11-year tenure as vice-president and 13 more as president.
2. Dick Lee (1906-1922)
Known for his incredible leaps, impeccable marking skills, and accurate long kicks, Lee was one incredible forward, nothing the Collingwood Magpies have seen since.
Despite suffering severe leg injuries throughout his career, he kicked a total of 707 goals in 230 games, setting records that remained unmoved for quite some time.
Lee topped the league's goal-kicking charts eight times and was a consistent star for the VFL. Some of his achievements and honors include seven-time VFL/AFL Leading Goalkicker (1907, 1908, 1909, 1914, 1916, 1917, 1919), 11-time Collingwood Magpies Leading Goalkicker (1906, 1907, 1908, 1909, 1910, 1914, 1915, 1916, 1917, 1919, 1921), three Premierships (1910, 1917, 1919), and an AFL Hall of Fame induction in 1996, to name a few.
1. Jock McHale (1903-1918, 1920)
Arguably the greatest figure in all of the Collingwood Magpies' history, and one of the league's most prolific, Jock McHale dedicated 55 years to the club, playing for 17 seasons and coaching for a remarkable 38.
After an initial rejection in 1902, he earned his place with the Magpies in 1903 and never looked back. McHale’s playing career spanned 261 games, with a record-breaking 191 consecutive appearances. As a coach, he led Collingwood to eight premierships and ensured unparalleled discipline and passion among his players. The Jock McHale Medal, awarded to premiership-winning coaches, honors his legacy.
Of course, he made it to the AFL Hall of Fame (1996). Some of his other noteworthy accomplishments are the Collingwood Magpies Hall of Fame (2004), Collingwood Magpies Team of the Century, Team Captain (1912, 1913), and a premiership in 1930.