Inaugurated in 2007, Indigenous Round was established to acknowledge the individuals, moments and stories woven into the rich tapestry of the game.
12 Indigenous players have donned the Black and White throughout the club’s 111-year history, with Wally Lovett holding the honour of being the first native Australian to represent the club, playing 15 VFL games in 1982.
It was previously believed that Norm Le Brun, who featured in 19 games for the Black and White between 1933 and 1934, held that particular distinction.
However, research by the grand-daughter of Le Brun’s first cousin established his heritage to differ greatly from that previously assumed, with the investigation uncovering a diverse background, featuring familial links to Cape Verde, Jamaica, Scotland and Jersey.
Indigenous players have played a more prominent role for the club since Lovett’s pioneering efforts, with Leon Davis becoming the first native Australian to play 200 games for the Magpies before his retirement in 2011.
Featuring in four AFL Grand Finals, including 2010’s drawn decider against St Kilda, Davis established himself among the upper echelons of the competition’s elite, twice earning All-Australian recognition as well as winning the Goal of the Year award in 2008.
Grand Final glory though ultimately eluded Davis, allowing Sharrod Wellingham to become the club’s first Indigenous Premiership player when he starred in Collingwood’s 2010 triumph, booting two goals in the Grand Final replay.
Recruited in 2010, Andrew Krakouer’s three goal performance in the 2011 Grand Final almost proved the catalyst to drive the Magpies to back-to-back Premierships, but the side’s last quarter fade out denied them the chance to claim a history equalling 16th flag.
Having made a stellar return to form against Geelong over the weekend, the Magpie Army will certainly hope Krakouer once again proves a pivotal figure in Collingwood’s quest for ultimate success, with Friday’s match-up with the Swans shaping as a proverbial eight-point clash.
Completing the honour roll of Indigenous Collingwood players are: Robert Ahmat (1995-97), Richard Cole (2005-07), Anthony Corrie (2009-10), Shannon Cox (2005-07), Brad Dick (2007-11), Chris Egan (2005-08), Kirk Ugle (2011-12) and Peter Yagmoor (2012 – present).
