| 1930 FOUR IN A ROW |
| 1930 Grand Final COLLINGWOOD 14.16.100 GEELONG 9.16.70 Goals: G. Coventry 7, Makeham 2, Beveridge 1, H. Collier 1, Edmonds 1, Froude 1, L. Murphy 1 Best Players: Makeham, G. Coventry, F. Murphy, Clayden, Andrew, H. Collier At MCG Crowd: 45,022 Collingwood Team: B: A. Lauder, C. Dibbs, P. Bowyer HB: H. Rumney, A. Collier, G. Clayden C: B. Andrew, J. Beveridge, H. Chesswass HF: R. Makeham, F. Murphy, W. Aldag F: H. Edmonds, G. Coventry, H. Collier FOLL.: S. Coventry, L. Murphy, W. Libbis CAPTAIN: Syd Coventry COACH: Jock McHale |
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| Why share a record with Carlton when you can have it all to yourself? With that in mind the Magpies launched into 1930 in search of the Holy Grail. This was the first year a reserve, or 19th man, was allowed in the VFL . The second reserve was introduced in 1946. Collingwood kicked a new record of 2,190 points for the season including a then record 13 scores of over 100 points but did not end up on top of the ladder until the last round. Both Carlton and Collingwood finished with 15 wins and 3 losses but the Magpies had a huge percentage lead. Carlton had imploded in the last few rounds after winning 13 of their first 14 games. The Magpies were raging flag favourites but limped over the line by 3 points in the second semi final against Richmond. The final against Geelong was only memorable for the fact that in this game Gordon Coventry overtook Dick Lee�s longstanding VFL career goalkicking record of 708 goals. The Pivots (as Geelong were then known) shocked the football world by beating Collingwood by 26 points. Chastened by that loss and wanting to ensure their place in history the Magpies were further rocked upon arrival at the MCG to find that their legendary coach Jock McHale was bedridden with influenza and could not attend the game. Star players George Clayden and Len Murphy went into the game with an injury cloud and in a fast and furious first half Geelong established a solid 21 point lead. The Magpies played the man too much and crowded the game which stopped them using their famous short passing game to best advantage. Only bad kicking for goal kept Geelong�s lead within striking range. At half time, former player and long time administrator Bob Rush decided to address the dispirited and glum team. His stirring pep talk inspired the team to go out fighting in the second half despite Len Murphy succumbing to a painful shoulder injury and being replaced by reserve, Froude. The Magpies were a team reborn after half time and two quick goals to Gordon Coventry and singles to Makeham and Harry Collier tied up the scores within 5 minutes of the restart. As Geelong started focusing on the man rather than the ball another goal to Gordon Coventry gave Collingwood the lead. Further goals to Beveridge, Makeham and 2 "Nuts" Coventry specials sealed a blistering 8 goal term that turned a 21 point deficit at half time into a 32 point lead at three quarter time. In the final quarter Geelong knew they were beaten and it was left to Coventry to put the icing on the cake with his 7th goal. Collingwood�s five goal victory completed the most magnificent era in Australian sport. The working class heroes from Carringbush had won 4 premierships in a row. A record that 4 years previously could not have been contemplated for fear of derision and a record that has not been reached or broken to this very day. Knowing how hard it is to win just one flag it can only be imagined what sort of commitment, talent and sacrifices were required by these legendary men to achieve the Holy Quadruple of 1927, 1928, 1929 and 1930. Even now, 71 years later, we salute these great Magpie legends! In our eyes you are immortal, In our hearts you live forever more! |