Australian Football

Charlie Pannam senior was one of the chief architects of Collingwood's famed short game - known as 'the system' - which was honed on a club trip to Tasmania in 1902, and which centred on a newly invented kick, the stab pass. Pannam was a master of this kick, but his pace, skill and general nouse gave him plenty of other strings to his bow. He played mainly as a wingman, but was also dangerous near goal, and in 1905 he topped the VFL goal kicking list with 38 goals.

Pannam commenced his career with the Woods during the club's time in the VFA, and was heavily instrumental in the 6.9 to 5.10 premiership play-off victory of 1896 against South Melbourne (reviewed here).

In 1907, Pannam joined VFA side Richmond, and helped that club gain admission to the league the following year. However, in 1909 he was passed over for the coaching job, and left in disgust. Pannam spent the 1909 season as captain-coach of VFA under-achievers Preston, before eventually returning to Richmond as non-playing coach in 1912.

Charlie Pannam senior's sons, Charlie junior and Alby, both represented Collingwood with distinction between the wars (and, in Alby's case, also during World War Two), and the dynasty continued into a third generation with grandsons Ron and Lou Richards.

Author - John Devaney