Each week during the 2016 season, collingwoodfc.com.au and the club's history website, Collingwood Forever, will highlight the career of a different Magpie cult hero. Some have been great players, some have been battlers, some have flattered to deceive. But all have enjoyed a special place in the affections of the Black and White army.

The second instalment features a man who played less than 100 senior games but still managed to leave his mark on Collingwood hearts.

As Collingwood charted a pathway from easy beat to unlikely premiership contender in 2002, a new chant spread its way through the Black and White army on match days.

The catchcry was 'Ruuupppeee ... Ruuupppeee" and it grew voice whenever the club's industrious midfielder-forward Rupert Betheras went anywhere near the ball.

It was unconventional, and out of the ordinary, just as Betheras was.

Many Collingwood footballers who have had longer and more productive careers have not had the same sort of engagement with the fans as Betheras had in much of his 85 games across five AFL seasons.

But somehow he seemed to touch not only the supporters who admired the way he embraced the contest, but also his teammates who respected his honesty and commitment to the cause.

Read Glenn McFarlane's full profile of Rupert Betheras on forever.collingwoodfc.com.au now.

Rupert Betheras
Games: 85
Goals: 35
Born: 23 November 1975
Recruited From: East Perth (WAFL)/ Collingwood Reserves
Debut: Round 3 1999
Honours: Darren Millane Perpetual Memorial Trophy (Best Clubman) 2000; Harry Collier Trophy (Best First Year Player) 1999; Wrecker Award 1999; Joseph Wren Memorial Trophy (Reserves Best-and-Fairest) 1998

Collingwood Cult Heroes: Rene Kink.