Watching that Sydney versus Collingwood preliminary final unfold for three quarters, I could only think what I’ve thought so often before: we’re just not good enough.
It’s not just a question of ability or game plan but personnel – an issue that’s dogged Collingwood culturally, but is not often enough highlighted.
Or genuinely addressed.
Growing up in the 1970s and 1980s I saw it too often: Tom Hafey took Collingwood sides cobbled together from a smattering of genuine stars, lots of role-players, and topped off with journeymen, to grand final failure after grand final failure.
They just weren’t good enough to knock over powerhouses like North Melbourne, Richmond, and Carlton – clubs full of class – when it really mattered.
Collingwood has a history of this, stemming from the archaic belief that players should play for the jumper, rather than the money.
Bob Rose’s biography, A Dignified Life, speaks to the Collingwood culture. Arguably Collingwood’s greatest player, Rose left the club in his prime at just 27 to captain-coach the Wangaratta Rovers because they offered him more money.
That tells you something about the club patriotic mentality – one that blossomed out of their halcyon days in the 1920 and 1930s.
As a coach, Rose implored the administration to buy players. Nope. It was about the jumper. Under Rose, Collingwood lost the grand final to Melbourne in 1964 by 4 points, to St. Kilda in 1966 by 1 point, and to Carlton in 1970 by 10 points. Rose was always just that couple of players short.
It’s a story that’s become the rule at Collingwood.
Fast forward to Mick Malthouse in 2002 – 03. That 2002 side is one of my favourite-ever Collingwood sides because of the character and courage and endeavour they exemplified. But when they faced that Brisbane powerhouse, Collingwood lacked that couple of extra quality players to haul them over the line.
(Photo by Hamish Blair/Getty Images)
Buying big is obviously no longer an option, but it speaks to the Collingwood culture that they believe they should battle it out bravely, rather than be mercenary in their approach – the attitude opposition clubs adopted as they overtook Collingwood in the modern era.
It’s little surprise that the two times Collingwood have enjoyed success in the last 64 years has been thanks to an unwitting stockpile of talent – the exceptions to the rule.
The 1990 flag was built on the success of the 1986 Collingwood Under 19 premiership glory, as well as some shrewd recruiting (of very good players) to plug needs. The 1990 premiership side is underrated in the pantheons of premiership teams, but a lot of this is because players were depreciated as the club went off the rails.
The 2010 flag was built off a succession of high draft picks – in 2005, Dale Thomas at 2 and Scott Pendlebury at 5, and in 2006, Ben Reid at 8 and Nathan Brown at 10. This was on top of Alan Didak (pick 3) already being there.
Add to this Steele Sidebottom at 11 and Dayne Beams at 29 in 2008, and lower picks such as Dane Swan (58 in 2001) Travis Cloke (39/Father-Son in 2004), Heath Shaw (48/Father-son in 2003) – players who’d retrospectively be rated top 10 – and Leigh Brown (drafted originally as a pick 6), Luke Ball (as a trade, but originally a pick 2) and Darren Jolly (traded for pick 14) and you have a core of elite talent.
In the mess that followed the succession plan, Collingwood were constantly trying to find lateral solutions to list problems, either drafting speculatively, or overpaying for players with trade currency and/or with salary. Quality went out. Not enough came back in.
Since the disastrous 2020 fire sale, they’ve gone back and heavily invested in the draft, but whereas Essendon were able to net three top-10 picks, Collingwood have relied on 20-something picks and lower.
Come this season, Craig McRae has done a magnificent job steering Collingwood up the ladder but come the finals campaign they just didn’t have enough class to haul them over the line when it mattered. The side they did beat comfortably in the finals (Fremantle) has their own list holes.
The counter, naturally, will be that Collingwood only lost by 6 points to Geelong, and by 1 point to Sydney. The hypotheticals will be thrown out: “If only this” and “If only that”.
The results are recorded indelibly in the history books. We can’t change them. And the reality is that “if only” isn’t a time machine. It doesn’t revise history.
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)
It’s just wishful speculation at a club whose history is replete with so much wishful speculation – if only Peter McKenna and Des Tuddenham hadn’t knocked one another out, if only Phil Carman hadn’t been suspended, if only Wayne Harmes had been called out of bounds, if only Anthony Rocca’s shot had been called a goal, etc. – that it becomes a coping mechanism to mitigate a very simple truth: in the modern era, Collingwood are regularly valiant, but painstakingly fail all too often when it matters.
Against Sydney, I waited for somebody to stand up. Scott Pendlebury tried to impose himself on the game. Jordan de Goey – brilliant in the first two finals – was well held. Darcy Moore was herculean in the second half and not only helped turn momentum but brought teammates into the game.
These are the moments you need your champions – not your role players (with no disrespect to them), but the cream of your side to find a way to win.
Talent rises to the top.
Collingwood just doesn’t have enough it.
There’s no doubt Nick Daicos will become a superstar of the competition, but how many other players can you say that about at Collingwood?
There’s some hopefulness about guys like Finlay Macrae and Reef McInnes, but they would need to exceed expectations – especially expectations commensurate with where they were taken in the draft. Oliver Henry oozes class but seems to have one foot out of the door. Ditto with Brodie Grundy.
Courtesy of Collingwood’s third-placed finish, they’ll have a low first-round draft pick, so they should get a good player – how good remains to be seen.
Meanwhile, role players such as Daniel McStay and Billy Frampton are hot on their radar, while Richmond’s targeted high-end talent such as Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper. Previously, they picked up Dion Presti and Tom Lynch.
People marvel at Geelong’s resurgence, but they’ve brought in elite talent such as Patrick Dangerfield and Jeremy Cameron. Melbourne went after Jake Lever and Steven May.
Collingwood loves this Moneyball approach and there’s no doubt that it fits the club culture – battlers punching above the weight who take the club the distance.
But going the distance isn’t winning.
We can be proud of their efforts, but is that enough?
While there’s a romanticism about an underdog almost pulling off the improbable, and while the club should be lauded, it’s obviously not a strategy that’s generating success. People may counter and argue. Many will throw out their “if only”.
But in the cold, hard light of day, in the unalterable annals of recorded history, it’s statistically proven that Collingwood just hasn’t been good enough time and time and time again.
Craig McRae could be the best coach the AFL’s ever seen, but if he doesn’t have the personnel, he’ll experience the same heartbreak as Tom Hafey and Bob Rose before him.
Damian White
Guest
In my time we have been the best side in the comp in 1990, 2010 & possibly 2011. That sits about right for what has been a 12 team comp to now 18. Would’ve been nice to pinch one or two when we weren’t the best side, as almost every other side has done but working towards being the best side is paramount. For mine a combination of our own arrogance in not wanting to lose any players, being driven to overpay players through media agendas & being hated makes it more difficult for us than some other clubs who can go about acquiring talent under the radar. As for the fire sale & pending Grundy exit, they are examples of a take no prisoners approach of chasing the ultimate success.
Kevo
Roar Rookie
Which was your favourite Harry Potter movie Pope?
Jimmy Woods
Roar Rookie
For the love of God, Les! This has been one of the best seasons I can recall outside of actually winning the flag.
Kylee
Guest
Trealors contract got changed and the bulk of it back ended to bring Dane Beams back to the club, that was the biggest mistake as we all knew he wasn't gonna be around long and bleed the club of money he didn't earn or deserve
Michael
Guest
Hit the nail on the head with your article. The book 'Kill for Collingwood' details how the pies continuously shot themselves in the foot over decades dating back to the early 50's.It makes for very depressing reading. Hafey repeatedly got sides to GFs which probably shouldn't have even made finals. As you point out these sides were made up with more than a smattering of journeymen such as (and no disrespect) Ian Low, Leigh Carlson and David Young etc etc. Unfortunately after an apparent hiatus the self destruct button mentality has reemerged in the last ten years.
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
That's the nature of curses Kevo. The curse actually occurred after the 4 in a row.....but these things take a while to kick into gear. And then there are always counter curses. See 1966 and 2010.
Kevo
Roar Rookie
Curse didn't last long then. Pies won back to back in the late 1930s and have won four more flags since those 2. Also won their fourpeat in 1930.
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
Collies are just cursed. The curse was cast by a person or persons unknown in 1930. It won't be broken until they win 2 GFs in close succession. Now that I think about it, it was clearly a 100 year curse. Makes you wonder what the poor old Saints did?
Kevo
Roar Rookie
I'm curious about the Pies potential recruits. Thought McStay played a great final as a mobile utility role against Richmond but looked hopelessly out of sorts against Geelong up forward. Can Fly and co really make him a key back? Along with Frampton? He's been in the AFL system a while. Interested to know who Hill from the Giants would dislodge from the current team? But no doubt he could be extremely handy. I'm a bit in the dark about all 3 but won't surprised if they do well under the Pies coaching team. Would love to keep Ollie Henry. He will be a gun and made significant contributions this year in getting the Pies the double chance. I imagine Fly and co would move heaven and earth to keep him...unless his personality type is just not suited to the team? He may be genuinely happier with his bro at Geelong. Hope he stays, but if not Pies should play hard ball for a good trade. Grundy is probably gone, and hopefully for him and Pies the albatross around his neck of way too much money will also be gone or diminished. But Pies still need a top ruckman and Grundy at his bullocking best could have been the difference this year. Having said that I believe cheap as chips Hickey from the Swans is a better genuine ruckman.
Kevo
Roar Rookie
I'd say most of all of them except Begg at this stage have served Pies very well and all with a lot of upside. Kruger kicks that goal last week and 4 of these boys are playing for a premiership this weekend. Can't have a team full of superstars these days and these fellas are very handy serviceable role players. A key gorilla forward and a key gorilla back would make life a lot better for all 4 as well. I have a theory players shouldn't do big interviews about themselves during finals. It usually affects their game negatively. So wasn't surprised to see young Ash Johnson struggling in the recent 3 finals, but he will be a beauty.
Kevo
Roar Rookie
It's an interesting look into the Collingwood psyche Les, I think it's a discussion worthy of more depth. There are some significant things Pies could have done differently but a lot of things they have done bloody well. In my lifetime there is only one club who has regularly delivered week in week out year after for their supporters more than Collingwood, and that is Hawthorn, who also have a cabinet full of premierships to go with it. The Hawks have been amazing and unique but the Pies have brought home the silverware twice. Teams you mentioned like Saints, Dees, Blues and Tiges have spent decades in the wilderness whilst the Pies have mostly been competitive, playing in finals, Grand Finals and winning a couple. I love that the Pies have often punched above their weight, and for example the 2002 and 2003 teams were not within a bulls roar of the talent the Lions had on the park but we nearly won a flag, and delivered one of the great GFs of modern times. We have had our spending sprees on so called stars and Ranald McDonald nearly broke the club because of it. This year has been an absolute exhilarating blast for Pies supporters. Fly and co and the club in general are on the right track. There's never any guarantee but I'd wager there'll be at least one premiership in this group. Buy your membership Les, get down to the G next year and start singing Good Ol Collingwood Forever!
Bell31
Roar Rookie
We were favourites heading into 2003 as the Lions were getting older and as I recall, a number of their key players had injuries in the lead-up - we also beat them in the QF, making them go the longer road to the GF. I'm pretty sure we at least equal favourites heading into 2011 GF, although possibly the 96 point drubbing by the Cats in the last round made some question our credentials (although we had been no.1 team for last 9 rounds). However, in neither GF were we seen as 'underdogs', so Les' narrative doesn't really stack up in the AFL era - as really only the 'battlers' in 2002 GF.
George Apps
Roar Rookie
I have been a Magpie fan, man and boy, since ’56 and there is more than a grain of truth in what Les says regarding past Collingwood teams. On the other hand really great sides have an abundance of spirit and grit to go with talent. We have emerging talent that will improve (and rapidly) to take over from the old hands when retirement comes to them. And of course we have a remarkable coaching team who will be there for years to come. If their performance so far is anything to go by, I’ll be looking forward to future Magpie endeavors with a large dose of optimism!
Doc
Roar Rookie
Great article, your point about not having significant high end talent, spot on but our previous Boards did not present our Club ( financially and structurally) to potential Stars that would entice them walk over “burning coals to play for Collingwood, There are a couple of exemptions. It the same as “ lack of height” .The opposition back on the 60’s and 70’s referred to our lack of height as “Collingwood six footers” McRae and the Coaching team have done a superb job in 2022, but we have had to play a super high pressure type of football to reap our rewards.Once again injury has made it difficult to keep some bigger players on the paddock .Looking forward to the recruitment of some bigger bodies
J.T. Delacroix
Guest
If Collingwood was to be described in horse racing form parlance in big races over the years it would most likely be along the lines of; ‘Will be in this for a long way,’ or ‘likely to find a few better.’ ‘Should give a good sight’ is another. As is ‘usually thereabouts.’ It’s just not fair.
Virgil
Roar Rookie
Confected. This article may have read better last year. You have completely missed the zeitgeist. Collingwood fans are revelling in the success of this team because they play an exciting and brilliant brand of football. They enthrall in a way I have not seen since following the Pies since the mid 1970s. You have misunderstood this Pies team - they are less about numbers and more about faith and will.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
He takes having a Elephant brain to another level :stoked: He could also have over active thyroid :silly:
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Rendell will never get over being fired by Collingwood will he? :laughing:
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Peter your mate Rendell suggested Collingwood made 20 mistakes in last qtr that cost you the win :silly:
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Perfect response Peter, for every action there is a equal reaction :laughing: