Henry Coles

Recruited from Warrnambool, Henry Coles was a sharp-shooting rover and half-forward who possessed an uncanny sense for goal. He commenced his VFL career with Collingwood in 1971, joining a Magpies outfit that was consistently challenging for premierships. While he proved to be a handy contributor capable of hitting the scoreboard, Coles struggled to cement a permanent spot in Collingwood's star-studded midfield rotation, often finding himself on the fringe of selection during his five seasons at Victoria Park.

Seeking greater consistency and opportunity, Coles crossed to Melbourne prior to the 1976 season, a move that unlocked the best football of his career. He immediately became a key component of the Demons' attacking setup, using his pace and crumbing ability to punish opposition defenders. Coles topped Melbourne's goalkicking in both 1977 and 1979, providing a reliable avenue to goal during a lean era for the club. He retired in 1980 having established himself as a dangerous forward-half specialist who maximised his second chance at the elite level.