Neil Edward Walter Mann served Collingwood with distinction for almost 40 years. A decorated 179 game career in the black and white stripes was followed by stints as reserves coach, senior coach and committeeman. He made his debut in 1945 and stood down from the board 37 years later.
In between, he won a premiership and a Copeland Trophy, wore the Big V on 10 occasions, won Collingwood’s goal kicking award and bookended his playing career by establishing himself as a fine centre half-back and ruckman.
Blessed with hands that could hold two dozen eggs in each, it was as a superb marking defender and follower that he finished third and second in the Brownlow medal counts of 1953 and 1954. Mann was one of the first to be granted the honour of induction to the Collingwood Hall of Fame.
The great Thorold Merrett, a team-mate of Mann’s in the 1953 premiership side, rarely saw him bettered in the air.
“Every ball he went for, he marked,” Merrett once said.
“Often there would be two or three blokes trying to belt the ball away from him, but it just wouldn’t budge – his hands almost covered the ball.”
Collingwood president Eddie McGuire described Mann as a quintessential Magpie figure.
“Neil grew up in Collingwood country, finished his schooling at Collingwood Tech and lived out his dream to play for the club. He was a magnificent man and a wonderful player who dedicated much of his life to the Magpies,” McGuire said.
“Football clubs get much of their character from the people within them. Collingwood wouldn’t be the club it is today without people like Neil Mann. Our thoughts are with his family and many friends.”
Mann, 88, passed away on Thursday. He is survived by his sons Geoff and Phillip, grandchildren Murray, Jaclyn and Ashley and great grandson Chaice.
A funeral service will be held at Le Pine, Main St, Eltham at 10am next Thursday.
Neil Mann pictured in his footballing prime.
RIP Neil Mann
1924 - 2013
