Thirteen famous moments at Victoria Park, Collingwood’s old home ground

VICTORIA Park was the site of many classic Collingwood moments over more than 100 years but the biggest was when an opposition star took a stand that changed the game.

Collingwood fans party at Victoria Park after winning the 1990 premiership.

THE home of the Magpies for more than 100 years, Victoria Park is sacred ground for Collingwood supporters.

Few opposition players or fans looked forward to a visit to the ground, where a police escort was required to get Fitzroy players home safely after a final in 1899 when the mother of one of the Collingwood players whacked Fitzroy’s Pat Hickey with an umbrella.

The venue was the scene of wild celebrations in 1990 after Collingwood broke a 32-year premiership drought, and a more sombre party after the Magpies played their final home game there against Brisbane in 1999.

There were many magic moments along the way — here are 13 of our favourites.

NICKY WINMAR TAKES A STAND

In a defining moment in AFL history, Nicky Winmar responded to horrible abuse from Collingwood fans throughout a match between the Pies and the Saints in 1993 by lifting his jumper and pointed to his skin, signalling that he was proud of his Aboriginal heritage.

Nicky Winmar points to the colour of his skin at Victoria Park in 1993. Picture: John Feder

Collingwood's Dick Lee takes a sensational mark.

FIRST SPECCY CAUGHT ON CAMERA

No one can be sure when the first ever speccy was taken. However, the first one caught on film took place at Victoria Park. It was taken by Dick Lee against the old enemy Carlton in 1914 and — thanks to the photo — has never been forgotten. The match was also memorable for ending in a draw.

SALMON WRECKS HIS KNEE

A shock knee injury to Paul Salmon in 1984 was huge news around the VFL. Salmon was enjoying a dominant season with 63 goals from his first 13 matches and it appeared the century wasn’t far away. That was until Collingwood’s Geoff Raines fell across his knee in the centre square at Victoria Park. It ended Salmon’s season and cost him a spot in Essendon’s 1984 premiership side.

Paul Salmon is carried from the field after injuring his knee.

A NEAR RIOT

Collingwood fans have always been a passionate bunch and that enthusiasm multiples 10-fold when it comes to umpires. Against Sydney in 1986, a small section of the Victoria Park crowd became so enraged by the umpiring they rushed on to the field, threatening the safety of the men in white.

BURSTING AT THE SEAMS

The official attendance at Victoria Park is listed at 27,000. However, that didn’t stop the Magpie army from breaking out in full force for a Round 2 clash against South Melbourne in 1948. An incredible 47,224 fans packed the stadium and it is fair to say it was standing room only.

Fans cram into Victoria Park.

NEW GRANDSTAND OPENS WITH A BANG

Collingwood has always known how to celebrate an occasion in style. That was the case when the Ryder Stand was officially opened at Victoria Park in 1929. The Magpies kicked a staggering 13 straight goals across the first three quarters of the match. The stand made headlines again in 1984 when wind damage caused the roof to cave in.

GREATEST COMEBACK OF ALL TIME

It will go down as one of the most remarkable days in the history of Victoria Park. Trailing St Kilda by 60 points late in the second quarter of their Round 10 clash in 1970, the Collingwood players were given one of the all-time great sprays from coach Bob Rose. The magic words did the trick, with the Pies storming to one of their greatest wins.

BROTHERS IN ARMS

In 1929, Gordon and Syd Coventry combined for a staggering 17 goals in one game, the most ever kicked by brothers in one match. Gordon did the majority of the work, kicking 16 majors.

RAINING GOALS

Many legends of the game have played on Victoria Park but perhaps no one enjoyed more magical moments there than Gordon Coventry. On three separate occasions, the prolific goalscorer brought up his 100-goal milestone at Vic Park. All three times, the goals were met with wild celebrations on the ground and from the crowd.

Collingwood champ Gordon Coventry.

COLLINGWOOD AND CARLTON

The Pies v Blues rivalry dates back a long way and this might have been its darkest day. The two sides engaged in an all-in-brawl during their Round 10 clash in 1934 with over 20 players involved. In total, 10 players were injured, three were reported and each side blamed the other for starting the clash. Collingwood won the game by 30 points.

DOUBLE TONS

Gordon Coventry wasn’t the only Magpie to bring up a goalkicking milestone at Victoria Park. Both Peter McKenna (1970) and Ron Todd (1938) kicked their 100th goals for the season at the Magpies’ home ground. Across his career, McKenna kicked a total of 838 goals from 180 games for Collingwood.

Peter McKenna was a darling of the Collingwood crowd.

STUCK IN THE GROUND

Ground facilities weren’t always at the level players are accustomed to today, just ask Ted Rowell. In Round 2, 1912 Rowell got his foot caught in a drain pipe. While he was stuck, his opponent was able to run into an open goalsquare and kick an easy goal.

The Collingwood banner for the last VFL game at Victoria Park.

FINAL DAYS

It will forever be a sad day in the history of the Collingwood Football Club. Having outgrown Victoria Park, the Magpies played their last match at the ground in Round 22, 1999. Although the result didn’t go Collingwood’s way, losing by 42 points, the Magpie army turned out in full force for the final match and the last training session on the Thursday night.

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