Thorold Merrett, a wingman in Collingwood’s Team of the Century, spoke to the Collingwood players and coaches before their main training session about the life and footballing career of Neil Mann who passed away last Friday.
Merrett, who played the majority of his 180 senior games alongside Mann, told collingwoodfc.com.au that senior coach Nathan Buckley had asked him to speak to the current players about the sort of person Mann was.
“Nathan wanted a chance for me to express as I played with Neil and was a mate of his for 60 years. I knew a lot about him.
“It was important that the players be told what an institution Neil was and what a legacy he left.”
Merrett told the players, coaches and football staff that Mann, the ruckman in Collingwood’s 1953 premiership team, was a role model to all his teammates, a man who was always supportive of his players and “a leader through and through” who had great regard for his fellow players.
As well as extolling Mann’s storied playing career, Merrett also had a few anecdotes to share.
He likened Mann’s large hands to those of young ruck prospect Jarrod Witts, for it was once said that Mann was able to hold 12 eggs in either hand at the same time.
Merrett also left the players with a reminder that their playing careers are fleeting, instructing them to “say I’m going to make my mark on this club and I’m going to do it the right way”.
Stay tuned to The Club to see exclusive footage of Merrett’s address to the players.
Neil Mann
Born: 26 August 1924
Died: 22 February 2013-02-27
Recruited From: St Kilda Thirds
Position: Key position/ruck
Debut: Collingwood v North Melbourne, Round One 1945 at Victoria Park
Last Game: Collingwood v Melbourne, Grand Final 1956 at the MCG
Games: 179
Goals: 155
Honours: Collingwood Premiership Side 1953, Copeland Trophy 1954, R.T. Rush Trophy 1948, 1953, runner-up in Brownlow Medal 1954, third in Brownlow Medal 1953, Victorian State of Origin Team 1954, 1955, 1956, Collingwood Captain 1956, Collingwood Vice-Captain 1950-1955
Coaching Record: Collingwood Senior Coach 1972-1974 (72 games, 49 wins, 22 losses, 1 draw), Collingwood Reserves Coach 1957-1971
Thorold Merrett
Born: 30 September 1933
Recruited From: Cobden
Position: Wing
Debut: Collingwood v Footscray, Round Seven 1950 at the Western Oval
Last Game: Collingwood v Carlton, Round Eight 1960 at Victoria Park
Games: 180
Goals: 148
Honours: Collingwood Premiership Side 1953, 1958, Copeland Trophy 1958, 1959, J.J. Joyce Trophy 1952, All-Australian 1952, Collingwood Team of the Century (wing), Collingwood Hall of Fame
Thorold Merrett speaks to the Magpies of 2013 about the legend of Neil Mann before training on Wednesday.
