Collingwood fans have always loved their hard-as-nails defenders. And in Stan Magro they had one of the best to take to their hearts.
Magro, who came to Collingwood from Western Australia in 1977, was ahead of his time in his approach to doing the hard things on the football field. His ferocious tackling, in particular, became famous.
Few players hit their opponents with such force, and an air of expectancy would rise whenever it looked like he had someone in his sights. His tackling was more like that seen on rugby fields than on football grounds.
Read Michael Roberts' full story on the life and times of Stan Magro on Collingwood Forever.
Stan Magro
Games: 96
Goals: 19
Born: 28 July 1954
Recruited From: South Fremantle
Debut: Round 7 1977 v Fitzroy
Our Collingwood Cult Figures
There are some footballers who, for whatever reason, form a special connection with their club's fans.
They might not always be the best players in the team, but there is something about them that makes them a favourite of those who cheer from the stands each week.
It might be their hair, or their physique, or their temperament, or something about the way they play – the reasons are many and varied. And you can't force it: it has to happen naturally.
These are a football club's cult heroes. And Collingwood has had plenty of them over the years, especially in the decades since TV and media coverage has boomed.
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 story so far...
Round One - Rene Kink
The Incredible Hulk.
Round Two - Rupert Betheras
The king of the Rupe Group.
Round Three - Ian Cooper
Collingwood fans have always loved their tough, battling, no-nonsense defenders.
Round Four - Leigh Brown
A journey from the scrapheap to the 'Leigh Brown role'.
Round Five - Graeme Jenkin
Not just Jezza's stepladder.
Round Six - Dannie Seow
A Magpie from Montmerency.
Round Seven - Micky Bone
Unheralded but loved by all.
Round Eight - Ron Wearmouth
Flowing blond locks, energetic bursts from contests, a cheeky on-field manner and a knockabout nature that endeared him to all.
Round Nine - Kevin Grose
Before there was Swanny, there was a man known as Disney.
Round 10 - James Manson
Sometimes the thing that makes a footballer vulnerable becomes the very trait that endears him to the fans.
Round 11 - Stan Magro
Collingwood fans have always loved their hard-as-nails defenders. And in Stan Magro they had one of the best to take to their hearts.
Click on each player's name to view their profile on Collingwood Forever.
