Harry Collier

Harry Collier was born with Black and White blood, growing up at 13 Turner Street directly opposite Victoria Park and selling Football Records at the gates before he ever pulled on the jumper. Recruited from Ivanhoe, he quickly established himself as a premier rover, renowned for his elusive movement, dual-sided kicking, and uncanny goal sense. He formed a devastating partnership with his brother Albert 'Leeter' Collier, becoming a central figure in Jock McHale’s famous "Machine" side that claimed four consecutive premierships between 1927 and 1930. A tenacious competitor who stood only 173cm, Collier’s consistency was rewarded with Copeland Trophies in 1928 and 1930, proving integral to the club's most dominant era.

His leadership credentials were affirmed when he took over the captaincy in 1935, immediately steering the Magpies to another two premierships in his first two years at the helm. However, his career was also marked by administrative drama; he famously tied for the 1930 Brownlow Medal but lost on a countback—a result influenced by a stray vote marked simply "Collier" without an initial—and was only awarded the medal retrospectively in 1989. His time at Collingwood ended on a somewhat sour note, marred by a suspension that cost him a spot in the 1938 Grand Final and a forced retirement by the committee in 1940, where he was granted a single farewell game. Despite the difficult finish, he departed as a six-time premiership player and a true giant of the club.