Goldie Collins

Arriving from Fitzroy Juniors to join his brothers Harry and Norm at the Brunswick Street Oval, Goldsmith "Goldie" Collins enjoyed one of the most explosive starts to a career in VFL history. A burly, ferocious flanker known for his uncompromising physical approach, Collins was a revelation in his debut season, playing a pivotal role in Fitzroy’s 1922 premiership side and earning the prestigious title of Champion of the Season from The Argus. He consolidated his standing as a star of the competition by winning the club's Best and Fairest award the very next year in 1923. However, the same aggression that made him a feared opponent eventually stalled his career; he missed the entire 1925 season due to suspension and frequently found himself in trouble with the tribunal. These disciplinary interruptions prevented him from fulfilling his long-term potential, and he retired at just 27 with a legacy defined by brilliant early success and a fiery on-field temperament.