Saint Kilda all the way this year. :first:
Six things: the Collywobbles
FOR THEIR 14 VFL/AFL premierships, the Magpies have been heartbroken a record 25 times on the last Saturday in September. The 1970 loss to Carlton spawned the term ‘Collywobbles’, and they have lost six grand finals since, winning just one, in 1990...
1977: This was as close as Collingwood came to nipping the Collywobbles in the bud, drawing with North Melbourne in the first running of the 1977 grand final. The Pies lost the replay one week later by 27 points. Phil Manassa provided the highlight for Collingwood, taking off from half-back, burning past Malcolm Blight, and kicking a famous goal after taking four bounces.
1979: Given the chance to avenge their 1970 loss to Carlton, the Magpies fell five points short of their bitter rival. Down by 21 points at the last change, the Pies charged back into the contest before Wayne Harms provided a now iconic highlight, punching the ball from the boundary line and into the goal square, where Ken Sheldon sealed the win.
1980: The Magpies were humiliated in front of 113,461 fans, losing to Richmond by 81 points, then a record grand final margin. This was Collingwood’s seventh grand final loss since its 1958 premiership as the Collywobbles grew.
1981: In the big dance for the third time in four years, Collingwood again squandered a significant lead and fell to the Blues by 20 points. The Magpies led by 21 points late in the third quarter, but the Blues kicked the last six goals of the game to win their 13th VFL premiership, equaling the Pies’ record.
2002: Twelve years after their drought-breaking 1990 premiership, the Magpies were back on the grand final stage against the mighty Brisbane Lions. The underdog Pies were brave, but they fell nine points short. Collingwood captain Nathan Buckley was awarded the Norm Smith Medal, just the fourth time it has been won by a losing player.
2003: In the rematch 12 months later, Collingwood was comprehensively beaten by 50 points. The Pies were 42 points behind at half-time, and they had no answer for Norm Smith Medallist Simon Black or five-goal star Jason Akermanis. They haven’t returned to the grand final since, until now.
