“THE DROUGHT IS OVER!!” — Leigh Matthews becomes third Collingwood Hall of Famer
It was celebration time at Collingwood Football Club tonight, as the club welcomed Leigh Matthews into its Hall of Fame — becoming the third Magpie to receive the honour.
Matthews’s induction marks more than just another accolade. As coach of Collingwood from 1986–1995, he masterminded the side’s 1990 premiership — a triumph that ended a painful 32‑year premiership drought for the club.
In his playing days, Matthews was already a legend: a decorated star at Hawthorn Football Club, where he amassed 332 games, kicked 915 goals, won multiple club best‑and‑fairests, and helped deliver four premierships.
But at Collingwood, it was his leadership — on and off the field — that truly defined his legacy. Under his stewardship, the club shook off decades of “so near yet so far” heartbreak, replacing years of grand final disappointments with a long-awaited flag.
Tonight’s Hall of Fame induction isn’t just a recognition of individual brilliance — it’s a tribute to the man who lifted the psychological weight from an entire club and its supporters. For Magpie fans, “the drought is over” is more than a headline: it’s a rallying cry.
