Australian Football

Despite being widely regarded as a quintessential Collingwood product, Neil Mann actually played thirds football for St Kilda, but later revealed that he had never had any desire or intention of playing for them at senior level. Thus, when Collingwood expressed an interest, he was delighted, and promptly made the move. In those days, the thirds competition was not directly affiliated with the VFL, and so the Saints, whilst understandably aggrieved, could do nothing.

Mann commenced his senior VFL career in 1945, and played most of his early football as a key position forward, topping the club's goal kicking list in 1947 with 48 goals. It was after being shifted to centre half back in 1948, however, that he really came into his own. Renowned as having the biggest hands in football he was, not surprisingly, a superb mark, but above all else he was almost fanatically hard working and determined. After Collingwood lost both of its major ruckmen, Phonse Kyne and Gordon Hocking in successive seasons in 1950 and '51 Mann's career received another boost when he stepped into their shoes as though born to them.

A Copeland Trophy winner and Brownlow Medal runner-up in 1954, Mann was a regular VFL representative player during the 1950s, donning the famous navy jumper with a big white V on a total of 10 occasions. When the Magpies beat Geelong in the 1953 Grand Final, he was close to best afield as the team's first ruckman. When Lou Richards resigned as Magpie captain late in the 1955 season Neil Mann took over. He retained the role in 1956, and when he retired at the end of that season had played a total of 179 VFL games, and kicked 155 goals. He later spent a 14-season stint as coach of Collingwood's reserves before occupying the senior 'hot seat' between 1972 and 1974 when he oversaw fourth, third and fourth place finishes.

Author - John Devaney