To mark Jamie Elliott’s three-year contract extension, Collingwood Media looks at five facts behind the man in the famous No. 5 jumper.

The story so far
A small forward with incredible strength and speed, Elliott marks unbelievably well for his size.

His style of play has seen comparisons drawn with Paul Medhurst and Stephen Milne, but it is through his tackling and defensive work in attack that he has impressed his coaches.

In just over 50 games, Elliott has already enjoyed some big outings, none more memorable than his five goal haul against Carlton in 2013, although many may argue his Mark of the Year against Port Adelaide was even better.

Having slotted a career-high 33 goals in 2014, Elliott still appears to have much improvement still left in him and is rightly considered one of Collingwood's most exciting young prospects.

Five facts about our No. 5

1. He hails from Euroa
Elliott grew up in Euroa, a township boasting a population of 3,166 as per the 2011 Census. Located in Victoria’s north-east, it is situated midway between Melbourne and Albury. Appropriately, the town’s football team is known as the Euroa Magpies and plays in the Goulburn Valley Football League.

2. He played for Collingwood before he was actually playing for Collingwood
Make sense? Probably not. Let us explain.

The VFL has a rule allowing clubs to add top-up players from the TAC Cup to their teams during the home and away season. Collingwood’s VFL affiliation with the Murray Bushrangers allowed it to choose Elliott as a top-up player for two games midway through 2010.


Who would have thought that the teenager with the blond tips who ran out alongside Josh Fraser, Paul Medhurst, Shane O’Bree and Jarryd Blair out at Box Hill and Victoria Park would eventually become one of the stars of the show?

3. He has worn three numbers in four years
Several players end up changing numbers as they make the transition from young tyro to senior footballer.

But rare are those who wear three numbers – in four years, no less.

Elliott started in the No. 35 before progressing to No. 19 when Cameron Wood departed ahead of the 2013 season. At the end of 2014, Elliott was approached by the retiring Nick Maxwell, who was keen to ensure the famous No. 5 stayed on one of the club’s most popular backs.

Elliott now follows in the footsteps of Maxwell, Nathan Buckley and Ron McKeown as those to wear the No. 5 in recent times.

4. Don’t confuse him with Jamie Elliott
Long before our Jamie Elliott burst onto the scene, there was another footballer of the same name making waves in the AFL.

Jamie Elliott played 58 games for Fitzroy, Richmond and St Kilda between 1991 and 1996. Touted by then-Roys coach Robert Shaw as a potential future captain, Elliott was beset by injuries. His career finished at Moorabbin in 1998 and he went on to play and coach in country Victoria.



Richmond's Jamie Elliott (not to be confused with our Jamie Elliott).

5. He rarely misses
In Elliott’s first season, he kicked six goals and 11 behinds.

In his 42 games since, he has bagged 72.31 with hauls of five in each of the past two years.