Past Norm Collins (1924-1925)

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Footyinfo

Full name: Norm Collins
Born: May 7, 1904
Teams: Fitzroy 1924-25, Carlton 1926-27, Carlton 1929-31, Hawthorn 1931-33
Height: 173cm
Weight: 68kg
Debut: South Melbourne vs Fitzroy Round 2, Lake Oval, 3 May 1924

Wikipedia

Born in Malvern, Collins played his junior football for Fitzroy and in 1924 made his VFL debut, alongside his elder brother Goldie. Another brother, Harry, had also played at Fitzroy but was killed in 1918 while fighting in France. Fitzroy had won a premiership in 1922 and as Collins found it difficult to break into the team, he transferred to Carlton after two seasons.

He was used initially at Carlton as a centreman but after sitting out of the 1928 VFL season the position had been taken up by new recruit Colin Martyn. When he returned in 1929, the former Fitzroy player was tried as a half forward flanker, rover and defender. He played finals that year, kicking two goals in Carlton's losing Preliminary Final team. However, he soon found himself out of favour and missed selection in the 1930 finals series and played only once in 1931. Collins crossed to Hawthorn during the 1931 season where he played as a defender. He filled in as Hawthorn's captain on occasion. An injury ended his career in 1933. Just two months after making his last appearance for Hawthorn, Collins committed suicide.

Statistics:

afl tables
all the stats

 

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Fullpointsfooty

Solid and serviceable rather than brilliant, Norm Collins fought hard to make the grade as a league footballer, and although he was seldom first choice at any of his three clubs he remained involved in the game at its highest level for a full decade, which bears incontrovertible testimony both to his talent and persistence. Collins commenced his VFL career in 1924 with Fitzroy, the same club at which his brother Goldie was already an established player, but found it extremely hard to break into what was at the time one of the strongest combinations in the competition. After managing just 4 senior games and 1 goal in two seasons he transferred to Carlton where he developed into a handy bit part player, equally at home in the backlines or on the ball. Midway through the 1931 season, after 57 games and 14 goals for the Blues, he crossed to Hawthorn where he proved himself a dependable defender in a final 31 league games spread over two and a half years.

 

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Blueseum

An ultimately tragic figure, Norman Charles Collins who was born in Malvern, played 92 games of VFL football with three clubs - Fitzroy, Carlton and Hawthorn - during the bleak years of the Great Depression. He was a versatile and capable player who was at his best in the centre, but his short life was plagued by psychological problems that led to his untimely death in the year he retired from the game.

Collins spent a year away from Princes Park in 1928, and when he returned, found that in his absence, the Blues had not only recruited VFA star Colin Martyn from Coburg – they had passed over guernsey number 2 to him as well! So Collins switched to number 5, and went looking for another niche in the team. He found a place at first on a half-forward flank, before taking on a roving role (in partnership with Tommy Downs) which lasted through to the 1929 Preliminary Final.

Collins joined Hawthorn and was immediately embraced by them. He served as acting captain of the Mayblooms against Essendon in the last round of 1932, and filled the same role twice more the following year. However, injury ended his career prematurely after round 10, 1933, and he had only recently taken up a position as assistant secretary at Glenferrie Oval when sadly, he took his own life on August 28 of that year.

 

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Harry Collins (brother)

Harry Collins (1892 - 1918) was an Australian rules footballer who played with Fitzroy in the Victorian Football League. Collins was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for bravery, before being killed in action in World War I.

Goldie Collins (brother)

Goldsmith 'Goldie' Collins (16 September 1901 – May 1982) was an Australian rules footballer who played with Fitzroy in the VFL. He made his debut with Fitzroy in 1922 and the following season was the club's best and fairest. Collins was a controversial character who was suspended for nearly two seasons for striking and was later declared a vexatious litigant and jailed for contempt of court.

 

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141st Player for Hawthorn

Name: Norm Collins
Career span: 1931-1933
Games: 31
Goals: 0

1933 - Year in Review

In Round 9 at Geelong Bert Mills was also injured and former Carlton centreman Norm Collins captained the club for the only time. Not surprisingly given the injuries that had hit the club, they were flogged by 109 points. Incredibly, the following week Collins also died suddenly.

Link

1933 – Hawthorn's captain-coach, Fred Phillips, died from blood poisoning, and his teammate, Norm Collins, was found hanged in his garage.