Australian Football

Despite the comparative brevity of his VFL career - 112 games from 1929 to 1934 and in 1938 - Geelong’s Jack Collins was adjudged by contemporary observers to be one of the very best centre half forwards of all time. The reasons were plain: he was strong, purposeful and elusive, marked superbly, had excellent pace and was a thumping kick with either foot. 

When Geelong downed Richmond in the 1931 Grand Final, Collins — deployed in his usual centre half forward role — was one of the victorious Cats’ best. Unfortunately, the fact that he did not play in 1937 deprived him of the opportunity to participate in another premiership side. Enticed back into the fray for one last season in 1938 he rapidly proved he had lost none of his extraordinary ability, and was selected to represent Victoria for the ninth time in his career. Jack Collins was perhaps a touch unfortunate not to obtain selection in Geelong’s official ‘Team of the Century’.

Author - John Devaney