By Anthony Stevens
Collingwood’s late-season wobble had quietened the airwaves, but one finals win has changed everything. After toppling Adelaide, the Magpie army is back in full voice – loud, passionate, and already calling their team premiership favourites. That’s why I love Collingwood supporters: when they’re up, they walk taller than anyone in the game.
Their leaders gave them reason to believe. Steele Sidebottom reminded everyone why experience matters in September, Jamie Elliott hit the scoreboard when the moment came, and Darcy Moore produced the captain’s game – intercepting, calming, and organising Collingwood’s defence. Then there was Nick Daicos. Tagged heavily, he still found ways to hurt Adelaide with his running and precision disposal. He doesn’t need huge numbers; it’s the timing of his impact that wins finals.
This balance of hardened veterans, a generational talent, and a captain who leads from the front is why Collingwood suddenly look dangerous again. And when the Magpies are dangerous, their supporters let the whole competition know. Ninety thousand black-and-white voices at the MCG is more than support – it’s a tidal wave of noise and belief.
For me, it brought back memories of North Melbourne in the 1990s. We never had the sheer numbers of Collingwood, but we had our own heartbeat. Carey’s brilliance, the courage of Archer, the reliability of Martyn, and the ball-winning grit of Peter Bell and Adam Simpson gave us the foundation to thrive in September. Our supporters were fewer, but fiercely loyal – the shinboner spirit made us feel like family.
That’s the contrast. Collingwood thrives on scale and attention, North thrived on grit and being underestimated. Both cultures have their beauty. Collingwood embodies the roar of the masses; North embodies the grit of the underdog.
But when the Magpie army cranks up in September – and the bandwagon fills to the brim – the AFL feels alive. Whether it’s 90,000 in black and white or 9,000 in blue and white, it’s the passion that makes our game great.