Richard Daykin

Recruited from the rich goldfields league of Bendigo, Richard "Bony" Daykin was a clever rover and forward whose brief VFL career left an indelible mark on Collingwood folklore. One of four footballing brothers, he broke into the Magpies' side late in 1908 before returning in 1910 to play a pivotal role in the club's premiership triumph, kicking a vital goal in the Grand Final against Carlton. However, his legacy is defined by the post-match fallout of that violent decider; when star teammate Tom Baxter faced a year-long suspension for his part in a massive brawl, Daykin—who was already planning to move to Western Australia—famously signed a statutory declaration claiming he was the culprit. The VFL accepted the confession, clearing Baxter to play on while Daykin departed for Subiaco, his "sacrifice" sparing the Pies a suspension and reportedly cementing the bitter rivalry between the two powerhouses.