Jamie Elliott Crowned Collingwood’s Best Finals Player: The Heartbeat of September
In a finals series defined by pressure, courage, and moments that separate the brave from the rest, Jamie Elliott once again proved why he is one of Collingwood’s most trusted big-game performers. The Magpies forward has been crowned Collingwood’s Best Finals Player, taking home the prestigious Bob Rose Award after a September campaign that epitomised everything the black and white faithful admire.
This wasn’t just about goals on a stat sheet. This was about moments — the kind that swing momentum, lift teammates, and bring a packed MCG to its feet. Elliott delivered those moments repeatedly.
From the opening bounce of Collingwood’s finals run, Elliott played like a man built for September. Fearless in the air, relentless at ground level, and ice-cold in front of goal, he consistently stood up when the game demanded something special. Whether it was a clutch set shot under suffocating pressure or a desperate defensive chase deep in the back half, Elliott’s fingerprints were everywhere.
What made his finals series so compelling was the balance in his game. Elliott didn’t just wait for opportunities — he created them. His forward pressure forced turnovers, his work rate dragged defenders out of position, and his football IQ allowed him to appear in space when Collingwood needed an outlet most. In tight contests where margins were slim and mistakes costly, Elliott’s composure became invaluable.
The Bob Rose Award carries significant weight at Collingwood. Named after one of the club’s greatest ever servants, it recognises more than performance — it honours character, resilience, and an ability to rise when the stakes are highest. Elliott’s journey makes the recognition even more meaningful. Across his career, he has battled serious injuries, long rehabs, and doubts about whether his body would allow him to perform consistently again. Each time, he has fought his way back.
That resilience was on full display throughout the finals. Elliott attacked contests with total commitment, rarely took a backward step, and led by example in a forward line that thrived on intensity and belief. Younger players fed off his energy, while experienced teammates trusted him when the ball was in dispute and the crowd was roaring.
Statistically, Elliott’s numbers stood up among the competition’s elite finals performers — scoreboard impact, score involvements, pressure acts — but numbers alone don’t tell the full story. His goals came at critical junctures. His efforts often followed opposition surges, halting momentum and swinging belief back Collingwood’s way. Those are the moments that live long in finals folklore.
For Magpies supporters, Elliott’s performances felt familiar. Time and again over the years, he has delivered in close games and high-stress situations. September simply magnifies what fans already know: Jamie Elliott is built for the biggest stage.
As Collingwood reflects on another hard-fought finals campaign, Elliott’s Bob Rose Award stands as recognition of a player who embodies the club’s values — toughness, sacrifice, and unshakeable belief. He didn’t just play finals football. He defined it for Collingwood when it mattered most.
And once again, Jamie Elliott has written his name into Magpies finals history — not with words, but with actions.
