Wayne Gordon

Recruited from VFA club Preston, Wayne Gordon made his name at Collingwood in the mid-1970s as a striking figure on the wing. With his flowing blonde hair and trademark moustache, he was hard to miss, but it was his physical attributes that defined his game; standing 189cm, he was exceptionally tall for a wingman of that era, possessing a high-stepping run and a booming kick. After debuting as a fill-in forward, he cemented his spot in the side during the famous 1977 season, playing in both the drawn Grand Final and the replay against North Melbourne. In the replay, he was instrumental, booting two goals and providing the deft tap that set up Phil Manassa for one of the most celebrated goals in Grand Final history.

Gordon's time at Victoria Park ended after the 1978 season when he was packaged into a high-profile trade to Melbourne involving Phil Carman, with forward Ross Brewer heading the other way. At the Demons, "Flash" Gordon reinvented himself as a rugged defender, playing regular senior football until his career was cut short by a diagnosis of Hodgkin's disease in 1981. He fought the illness bravely and managed to play his 100th game while battling the condition, but retired shortly after. Tragically, Gordon passed away in 1983 at just 29 years of age after suffering a heart attack, leaving behind a legacy as a tough, spirited competitor for two of the league's oldest clubs.