Collingwood supporters will never forget the magic Alan Didak produced on the football field.

From unbelievable goals to devestating bursts through the midfield, the 218-game Copeland Trophy winner wowed almost everyone who watched him play.

With Didak being named a Collingwood Life Member on Tuesday night, Collingwood Media takes time to reflect on ten of the Premiership favourites best moments. 

2001: Round 7 - Collingwood v North Melbourne

Alan Didak’s remarkable career started in the most memorable way possible on a Sunday afternoon at the Docklands.

The fresh-faced 18-year-old had already senior experience after playing for Port Adelaide in the SANFL as a teenager.

And from his first kick in AFL football, it appears as though Didak was ready to successfully adapt his game to AFL level.

He led strongly and marked on his chest in front of goal, before calmly joining the club of AFL footballers who have scored a goal with their first kick.

Didak went on to have nine more disposals in the Magpies’ two-point loss to North Melbourne.



2002: Preliminary Final – Collingwood v Adelaide

“They are home, and they are into the Grand Final! The dream is becoming reality for the Pies and I am getting rattled, because Huddo, I think they are there!"

Collingwood legend turned Channel 10 commentator Peter Daicos could hardly contain his excitement with minutes remaining in the 2002 Preliminary Final.

The person responsible for his outpouring of job was none other than Didak.

Collingwood held a 25-point lead at three-quarter-time of a seesawing affair at the MCG.

The lead evaporated in the final quarter with both teams desperate to book a place in the Grand Final the following week.

Enter Didak. The 19-year-old snapped truly on his left boot and led Collingwood to a 28-point victory.



2003: Qualifying Final – Collingwood v Brisbane

Didak had just six touches in Collingwood’s 2003 Qualifying Final against Brisbane at the MCG.

Two of them were arguably the best two disposals of the enthralling game.

Collingwood led by just ten points with six minutes remaining when Didak marked the ball in the forward pocket and tucked it under his arm.

On the wrong side for a left-footer, his eyes darted around for an open teammate before settling on the goals.

What followed was a moment of magic. Didak kicked truly and turned to the crowd before signalling that he wanted them to be louder.

They shouldn’t have been surprised. Just moments earlier, the livewire forward had stunned everyone with an almost identical goal.



2006: Round 4 – Collingwood v Essendon

Didak had had varying levels of success on Anzac Day in the lead-up to Collingwood’s annual fixture with Essendon at the MCG.

In the 2006 blockbuster, he put on a show.

Playing in the forwardline, he led the Magpies with four goals as Collingwood overcame a six-point half-time deficit to defeat the Bombers by 17.

It kicked off what was arguably a career-best year for Didak.

He kicked a career-high 41 goals for the season in a year which saw him awarded the Copeland Trophy and All-Australian honours.



2007:  Semi Final – Collingwood v West Coast

The 2007 Semi-Final win against the Eagles in extra-time at Subiaco Oval was a game which Collingwood supporters will never forget.

It was also perhaps Didak's finest hour.

Minor injuries had prevented the forward from playing consistent football throughout the home and away season.

However his Semi Final was one for the ages.

He collected 27 disposals in the nail-biting contest which finished level after four quarters of pure intensity.

Didak also added two crucial goals, one of which put Collingwood back in front in the final quarter after trailing West Coast since the 20-minute mark of the second term.



2009: Round 13 – Collingwood v Fremantle

Didak the forward became Didak the midfielder as the excitement-machines’ career reached its midway point.

In June 2009 he entered a purple-patch rare among even the finest of midfielders.

Between round 11 and round 15, Didak averaged a remarkable 35 disposals per game. He kicked six goals in the same timeframe and received three best-on-ground performances.

Always a fan of playing in Perth, the climax came against Fremantle in round 13.

Didak had a career-high 39 touches and kicked two goals against the Dockers, as Collingwood claimed an 84-point victory on the road.

Amazingly, the performance wasn’t enough to see Didak be the leading possession-winner on the ground.

Dane Swan had 41 touches, however Didak had the last laugh on Brownlow night when he was awarded the three votes.



2010: Round 14 – Collingwood v West Coast

Another humiliation of a Western Australian team took place on July 3, 2010 as Didak led his teammates to a comprehensive 83-point victory.

Highlights were aplenty in the lob-sided Etihad Stadium clash, however a minute of madness from Didak arguably topped the list.

From the 20 minute mark to midway through the 21st minute, the 27-year-old went on a hot-streak that included three goals in just over a minute.

A dribble along from the ground from the pocket was followed by a brilliant soccer kick, before Didak rounded out the trio with a long goal from just outside 50.

The goals put an exclamation point on Collingwood win and led Didak to two Brownlow votes.



2010: Round 18 – Collingwood v Carlton

2010 continued in euphoric fashion as Collingwood went on a winning streak which ultimately led to its Premiership glory.

The Magpies had won six consecutive games when they faced arch rival Carlton at the MCG.

Confidence was high amongst the group and Didak was no exception.

He had 31 touches and seven clearances in the 48-point win and also backed himself to launch a 60-metre torpedo towards goal.



2010: Grand Final Replay – Collingwood v St Kilda

It’s easy to understand why this would be considered a highlight of Didak’s illustrious 218-game career.

After falling short in three previous Grand Finals (2002, 2003 and the 2010 draw), Didak finally tasted Premiership success in the Magpies’ 56-point victory.

Despite being well held by Steven Baker, Didak was able to break the congestion in the third quarter and kick a classy goal on his opposite foot.

The Sherrin sat comfortably in Didak’s hands as the final siren sounded to end one of the most famous games in Collingwood history.

We turned to salute the crowd before joining his teammates to celebrate Premiership glory.



2013: Round 22 – Collingwood v West Coast

Didak failed to recover from a 2011 season decimated by injury. The trend continued in 2012 and 2013 with the 200-game veteran’s senior appearances minimal.

In what would be the final season of his AFL career, Didak played had played just two games in 2013 when he was named to play against West Coast at the MCG.

Didak was dominant in the VFL in the weeks leading up to the round 22 clash, with 33 disposals against Sandringham prompting a senior recall.

Didak started the game as the sub, before making his mark with a goal in the thirteenth minute of the final quarter.

In a showing of enthusiastic support, his teammates came from all parts of the ground to congratulate Didak in what would turn out to be his third last AFL game.