1961 - ClIVE "TIGER" COLLINS

Junior Coach 1961 - 1967

Having introduced himself to the Football Club in 1951, ‘Tiger’ Collins proceeded to become an active member over many years. Few ever knew that he had actually played a couple of games with South Melbourne when he was younger.

A little too old to play now, ‘Tiger’ turned his attention to junior coaching where his fatherly guidance led to the development of a string of young players who progressed to high levels of achievement in the game.

He coached an under 16 team through an undefeated season and had the rare distinction of coaching two future All Australians in Leigh Matthews and Ron Stubbs.
‘Tiger’ further extended his club service by becoming President in 1967, a premiership season.

A jovial man with a raucus voice and a hearty laugh, ‘Tiger’ Collins had a wonderful, happy demeanour that was infectious. He simply made others feel good with his presence.

It was a memorable day when ‘Tiger’, at the ripe old age of 45, stripped for the seconds who were short of a full team. Few will forget a performance in which he played at full forward with instructions not to leave the goal square. Numerous times the ball came in only to bounce off his barrel chest. Smaller players had a field day feeding off the crumbs. 

As always, ‘Tiger’ would have written down the whole experience as just being another wonderful day out with the boys.  

<< Back