Collingwood forced to cancel planned celebrations for 1990 and 2010 premiership sides
Collingwood celebrates its past as well as any other club. But will the coronavirus pandemic bring celebrations of their 1990 and 2010 premiership sides to a halt?
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Collingwood has been forced to cancel reunions for its revered 1990 and 2010 premiership sides in the wake of the coronavirus shutdown of AFL football.
While the Magpies still hope to honour the 30-year and 10-year anniversaries of their two most recent flags, a decision on how best to recognise these milestones won't be made until a clearer picture of the 2020 season is available.
Even if the AFL season resumes this year, it remains to be seen whether fans will be allowed to attend matches, which was a key reason behind Collingwood's decision to cancel a gala weekend in mid-July.
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All members of the 2010 and 1990 sides had been invited to take part in an MCG motorcade to coincide with the club's Round 18 clash with Geelong.
Earlier that day, a past players’ lunch at the Glasshouse had been arranged to celebrate the drought-breaking 1990 premiership side which shook off the “Colliwobbles” tag that had haunted the club for decades.
A gala function had been arranged for the following night – Saturday July 18 – at Crown Palladium where the 2010 side were meant to celebrate 10 years since the remarkable Grand Final replay triumph over St Kilda, following the previous week's dramatic draw.
The Magpies’ functions team had put a power of work into the scheduling of the weekend, which allowed for the fact that Giants defender Heath Shaw – who produced the “Smother of the Millennium” in the Grand Final replay – was in Melbourne that weekend as he was scheduled to take on the Hawks earlier that day.
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Collingwood was left with no other position but to cancel the events, given the uncertainty surrounding the season ahead.
Past players were told of the cancellation in recent days.
But Magpie officials are keeping an open mind on whether a suitable commemoration of two club-defining moments can proceed later in the year.