Alan Atkinson

Recruited from the Western District town of Hamilton, Alan Atkinson was a speedy, high-flying wingman who became a fixture of the Collingwood centreline throughout the 1970s. Arriving at Victoria Park as a teenager, he quickly established a reputation for his wiry build, distinct sideburns, and a "laconic" playing style that occasionally frustrated selectors but endeared him to fans when he turned on his natural flair. While he was a consistent ball-winner who could drift forward to kick goals, his career is best defined by a single moment in Round 21, 1973, when he launched himself over Hawthorn's Leon Rice at VFL Park to take a screamer that was later crowned the Mark of the Year.

Despite playing 134 games in black and white, Atkinson's timing often saw him on the periphery of the club's biggest moments, missing out on selection for both the 1970 and 1977 Grand Final sides. After falling out of favour with the coaching staff and spending the entire 1979 season in the reserves, he secured a clearance to Footscray for a final stint at senior level in 1980. His career ended on a poetic note in his sixth game for the Bulldogs, where he lined up against his former Collingwood teammates, gathering 13 disposals in a loss before hanging up the boots.