Rod Oborne

Recruited from Burnie in Tasmania, Rod "Swoop" Oborne was a classy left-footed half-forward known for his ability to ghost into packs and snap opportunistic goals. After earning a trial at Collingwood through his father’s persistent letter-writing to VFL clubs, Oborne wasted little time making his mark, winning the Magpies' Best First Year Player award in 1972 and finishing runner-up to Peter McKenna in the goalkicking the following year. A dangerous utility who could fly for a mark or crumb at ground level, his tenure at Victoria Park was interrupted by a singular season in the WAFL with Claremont in 1977—a strategic move orchestrated to facilitate Kevin Worthington's transfer to Collingwood. Oborne returned to Victoria for the 1978 finals series before a mid-season clearance sent him to Richmond in 1979, where he famously booted four goals on debut against Melbourne. Despite the bright start at Punt Road, he managed just five senior games in yellow and black, missing out on the 1980 premiership side before transitioning into a successful coaching career in the VFA and ACTFL.