A Statue for Leigh Matthews to Rise at the MCG: A Legacy Etched in Bronze and in Magpies History
A new chapter of Collingwood history is set to be immortalised in bronze, with a statue of legendary coach Leigh Matthews soon to be unveiled outside the Melbourne Cricket Ground. More than a monument, the tribute is a powerful acknowledgment of the man who ended Collingwood’s painful 32-year Premiership drought in 1990—an achievement that reshaped not only the club, but the entire AFL landscape.
For Magpies supporters, this statue represents far more than a victorious moment. It stands for belief, resilience, and transformation, honouring a figure whose leadership restored pride to one of Australia’s most storied sporting institutions.
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A Coach Who Changed Everything
When Leigh Matthews took charge at Collingwood in the mid-1980s, the club was burdened by decades of heartbreak. Grand final losses, self-doubt, and the weight of expectation hovered over the team like a dark cloud. Matthews didn’t just build a side capable of winning; he rebuilt the club’s self-belief from the ground up.
Under his steady hand, the Magpies developed a hardened identity—one defined by discipline, physical presence, and a relentless appetite for the contest. That transformation culminated in the unforgettable 1990 Premiership, when Collingwood dethroned Essendon and finally shattered the drought that had haunted generations.
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More Than Bronze: A Symbol for the Ages
The statue will depict Matthews in a powerful, authoritative coaching pose—representing the focus and fearlessness that became his trademark. For fans, it symbolises:
Belief: the moment Matthews convinced the club it could win again
Resilience: the courage to push through years of disappointment
Legacy: a cultural shift that continues to define Collingwood today
Club president, former players, and supporters have long advocated for a permanent tribute. With the project now officially greenlit, anticipation is building across the Magpie army.
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Fans Remember More Than the Victory
For many Collingwood supporters, the 1990 triumph wasn’t just about a premiership. It was about:
the roar that shook the MCG when the final siren sounded
the tears of older fans who had waited a lifetime
the moment the club rediscovered its identity
the unity shared by players, staff, and supporters
the belief that success was once again part of the Magpie story
Even now, fans recall Leigh Matthews as the figure who brought hope back to the black and white.
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A Definitive Place in Football History
The MCG is home to some of the AFL’s most iconic statues—Ron Barassi, Norm Smith, Shane Warne, Betty Wilson—but the addition of Leigh Matthews adds a chapter Collingwood supporters have long awaited.
As the statue is unveiled, it will stand as a permanent reminder of a coach who forged a path from despair to glory. A coach who transformed a club’s mentality. A coach who, in one unforgettable season, restored the pride of millions.
In bronze, as in memory, Leigh Matthews’ legacy endures.
