Bill Buck

Recruited from Camberwell Methodists after catching the eye of scouts in the Protestant Churches Association, Bill Buck established himself as a dependable half-back flanker for Collingwood in the early 1920s. A product of Melbourne High School, he was known for his cool head in defence, prioritising efficient disposal and quickly clearing the ball from the danger zone rather than attempting flashy play. His career holds a unique place in league history due to his dual role in 1924; having already succeeded the legendary Ern Copeland as club secretary, Buck was forced out of semi-retirement to play three games while serving as the club's chief administrator during an on-field injury crisis. His playing days were brought to an abrupt and premature halt in January 1925 when he suffered a badly broken arm in a bus accident while travelling to Sorrento, though he continued to shape the club off the field before focusing on the accountancy firm that still bears his name.