Charlie Pannam

The patriarch of arguably football's most famous family dynasty, Charlie Pannam (born Pannamopoulos) established the bloodline that would eventually produce Collingwood legends Lou and Ron Richards. A livewire wingman and rover with exceptional pace and evasiveness, Pannam was a central figure in the Magpies' early dominance, featuring prominently in the 1902 and 1903 premiership sides. He was renowned for his skill with the "stab kick"—a short, low trajectory pass he helped pioneer alongside Dick Condon—and later successfully reinvented himself as a forward, topping the league's goalkicking table in 1905. His durability and consistency were such that he became the first player in VFL history to reach the 100-game milestone.

After more than a decade of service at Victoria Park, Pannam departed midway through 1907 to captain-coach Richmond in the VFA. When the Tigers were admitted to the major league the following year, he etched his name in history as their inaugural VFL captain, providing seasoned leadership to the competition newcomers. Although his playing stint at Punt Road was brief, his legacy remains immense, standing as a Hall of Fame pioneer who bridged the VFA-VFL eras and founded a multi-generational footballing institution.