Les Hughes

Les "Flapper" Hughes was a cult figure at Victoria Park, renowned as much for his unique appearance as his uncompromising playstyle. Recruited from the local area, he established himself as a tireless follower and forward who compensated for a lack of height in the ruck with fierce competitiveness, stamina, and football smarts. His moniker derived from his prominent ears, but opponents quickly learned to respect his ability rather than mock his looks, as he became a central figure in the Magpies' engine room for over a decade, often doing the heavy lifting to allow the club's smaller rovers to flourish.

A loyal one-club servant, Hughes played a pivotal role in Collingwood's 1910 premiership before assuming leadership responsibilities during the turbulent First World War period. He captained the side to the 1917 premiership against Fitzroy and remained a key contributor through the club's 1919 triumph. Remarkable for his longevity in an era of amateur sport, he continued playing top-level football until the age of 38, retiring in 1922 as one of the club's most decorated servants with three flags and over 200 games to his name.