Almanac Books: ‘It’s in the Genes’ – Machine Team Siblings: Part 1 – The Murphys

 

 

 

Des Tobin was a guest speaker at the recent Footy Almanac Lunch and presented an indepth and enthralling account of some of the footballing families included in his recently released book. The Collingwood Football Club has had its fair share of  champion families representing their club such as the Murphys, the Colliers, and the Coventrys, and we were extremely fortunate to gain some wonderful insights from Richard Collier, son of Harry Collier and nephew of Albert Collier about these Magpie greats at the lunch. 

 

As a follow up, Des has kindly allowed The Footy Almanac to published an extract from his book – the chapter entitled ‘Machine Team: Siblings’ a look at  three sets of brothers from the 1920s. We will publish the extract in three parts over the coming week; Part 1: Frank and Len Murphy, Part 2: Harry and Albert ‘Leeter’ Collier, and Part 3: The Coventry Family.

 

Full details for purchase of Des’s book can be found Here

 

‘MACHINE TEAM’

 

SIBLINGS

 

Part 1

 

Three sets of brothers made up a third of the Collingwood ‘Machine Team’ of the 1920s. Frank and Len Murphy, Syd and Gordon ‘Nut’s’ Coventry and Harry and Albert ‘Leeter’ Collier were outstanding individual players. And all were dedicated Magpies fully committed to Collingwood’s mantra of the club being bigger than the individual. Such endeavour – led by the masterly coaching of Jock McHale – resulted in four consecutive VFL premierships from 1927 to 1930.

 

Formed in 1892, the Collingwood Football Club (CFC – the ‘Magpies’) has been the VFL/AFL’s most ardently supported and most vehemently reviled club. With seven other clubs, Collingwood broke away from the Victorian Football Association (VFA) in 1897 to form the Victorian Football League (VFL). Collingwood has since won 16 VFL/AFL premierships from 45 grand final appearances.

 

In the Magpie ‘glory years’ of the 1920s and 1930s, Collingwood appeared in 13 of a possible 20 VFL grand finals. They won six, including a record four running from 1927–1930 and another two in 1935 and 1936.

 

Throughout these years Collingwood’s coach was the legendary James ‘Jock’ McHale, who served the club as a player (261 games) and coach (714 games) from 1903 to 1949. During McHale’s coaching tenure, the club won eight of its 15 premierships. His son John played 34 games with the Magpies in the 1940s and later served on Collingwood’s committee.

 

The football media of the day dubbed the Magpies 1927–30 premiership team the ‘Machine Team’. It was a title that McHale disliked because he thought it implied a level of inflexibility.

 

The Machine Team contained many acknowledged champions, including three sets of brothers – Harry and Albert ‘Leeter’ Collier, Syd and Gordon ‘Nuts’ Coventry and Frank and Len Murphy.

 

Frank and Len Murphy

 

The Murphy brothers were not as widely acclaimed as the Colliers or Coventrys, but Frank and Len were important members of the Collingwood team. Frank Murphy played in all four premierships from 1927 to 1930, while younger brother Len took his place in the victorious teams of 1928, 1929 and 1930. Frank was honoured with Collingwood life membership in 1938 and, as members of the 1929 premiership team, both he and Len were inducted into the Collingwood Hall of Fame in 2004. They were (posthumously) individually inducted in 2016.

 

Both were born in Bairnsdale, in Victoria’s East Gippsland region, in 1905 and 1909 respectively. Their family later purchased a farm nearer Melbourne, at Mernda. Both boys attended the Collingwood Technical School (‘Collingwood Tech’) and played their first serious football with the local Mernda team.

 

Frank moved on to Thornbury in the Catholic Young Men’s Society (CYMS) football association. He came under Collingwood’s notice, and at 20 was invited to Victoria Park for the 1925 pre-season trial matches. He did well enough to make the playing list and made his debut in Round 7 of the 1925 season against St Kilda. Collingwood was defeated by 36 points, but the Argus football reporter, ‘Old Boy’, noted: ‘F. Murphy made a most promising first appearance.’

 

This promise was fulfilled when Frank held his place in a strong Magpie combination for the rest of the season and beyond. Frank performed well as Collingwood’s centre-half-forward in the losing grand finals against Geelong in 1925 and again in 1926 against Melbourne. The pain of losing consecutive grand finals was replaced by the euphoria of being a vital part of the Magpies quadrella of flags that followed.

 

At a touch over 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm) and 11 stone 6 pounds (73 kg), Frank was a typical ‘Collingwood six-footer’ and was good enough to hold down the key position of centre-half-forward for the entirety of his 10 years and 145 games with Collingwood. He was a particularly strong mark for his inches, an excellent kick with either foot and a skilful ground player. He was renowned for his goal-kicking accuracy, scoring 121 goals (and very few behinds) off his own boot, and was highly regarded by champion full-forward Gordon Coventry. Writing in the Sporting Globe in 1938, Coventry said: ‘For 10 years Frank played in front of me and could take credit for hundreds of goals I scored … Whenever I saw he had a chance of getting the ball, I tore into the open and Murphy did the rest … He always seemed to be able to get balanced before he kicked and I could always rely on the ball going to a position that would allow me to take it with ease.’

 

Frank Murphy was named among Collingwood’s best players in three of the four premierships in which he played. He was one of 12 Collingwood players who played in four consecutive premierships from 1927 to 1930,1 and along with Syd and Gordon Coventry, Bob Makeham and Harry Chesswas, he was one of only five who played in six consecutive grand finals from 1925 to 1930 under ‘master’ coach Jock McHale. Murphy also represented Victoria on three occasions, and left Collingwood after a distinguished career at the end of the 1934 season when he was appointed playing coach of Subiaco in the WAFL.

 

Murphy was highly regarded at Subiaco and had learned much about the art of coaching from Jock McHale. Under Murphy’s guidance, which included the introduction of an intensive pre-season training program not previously seen in WA, a new sense of confidence emerged. Morale around the club reached new levels, and Subiaco moved from sixth on the premiership ladder in 1934 to a losing grand final appearance in 1935. It was the club’s best season for 23 years. Subiaco played finals football again in 1936 but were eliminated in the first semi-final.

 

At the end of the 1936 season, Murphy advised the club of his intention to retire as a player but was persuaded not to do so. Subiaco’s club history, Diehards, records: ‘Club officials believed [Murphy’s] ability to marshal his players would again be crucial in the club’s quest for the finals’. Although no longer the player he once was, Frank’s decision to play on justified the committee’s desire for him to play on. In doing so, he provided ‘cool-headed leadership and guidance in tactics’ in the 14 of Subiaco’s 21 games he played during the 1937 season. Unfortunately, the Maroons won only four of those games and plummeted to the bottom of the ladder. Other than the dreaded wooden spoon, the club was left with little to show from Murphy’s efforts. After three years, and having been transferred to Kalgoorlie by his employer, wholesale distributor Harris, Scarfe and Sandovers Ltd (Sandovers), Frank was replaced by champion Fitzroy rover and three-time Brownlow medallist Haydn Bunton. Widely recognised as the best footballer in the land, Bunton went on to win three Sandover medals (but no premierships) during his playing tenure at Subiaco.

 

The Murphy era that had begun so promisingly, may have ended on a low note but as Diehards records: ‘There were few football judges who attributed the Maroons poor performances in 1937 to a lack of leadership and morale.’ And the WAFL’s publication Football Budget wrote: ‘The ex-Collingwood champion has proved a great friend to Subiaco … his scrupulous sense of sportsmanship has caused him to be esteemed widely … his popularity is well deserved … as a judge of the game Murphy is not easily excelled.’ Accordingly, Frank Murphy was to leave Subiaco with many friends, no enemies and his head held high.

 

Sandovers was a highly successful business, a strong patron of WA sport and the donor of the Sandover medal awarded annually to the WAFL’s best and fairest player. Not surprisingly therefore, Frank’s focus on arrival in Kalgoorlie was on his business career rather than football.

 

But there was no way a four-time Collingwood premiership player, and highly respected Subiaco player and coach, was going to avoid being ‘called- to-arms’ by local team Kalgoorlie City (the Kangaroos), who wore an identical uniform to Collingwood. Frank had barely drawn breath before he was back in Magpie colours as playing coach of Kalgoorlie City in the rock-hard Goldfields Football League.

 

He coached the ‘Kangas’ for one season only (1938), but continued as a player and a keen supporter thereafter. Former Kangas great Gordon “Bullet” Virgo remembers Murphy as a man who ‘knew every facet of Australian Rules football … it was easy to see that he was a class footballer … Frank was an immaculate kick with either foot, especially with the low-trajectory pass … with the Kangas he played mainly in the centre, or where the ball was most often.’

 

Fate has a way of bringing people together in the most unlikely of circumstances. Albany, WA born, June Evans grew up in Tasmania where her father’s family lived, before moving to Perth where she trained as a pharmacy assistant. Frank entered her life after she relocated to Kalgoorlie in the mid- 1930s, and they were married in Perth in September 1944 while Frank was on leave from the RAAF. Frank had enlisted in the RAAF in August 1942, attained the rank of corporal, and after being deployed in and around Tarakan (Indonesia), Sarawak (Malaya) and Borneo he was based in Perth until his discharge in March 1946.

 

Like football and other sporting clubs all over the country, Subiaco was heavily impacted by WWII. Accordingly, when the WAFL returned to its full program in 1945 following various wartime restrictions, the club had struggled. At an end-of-season trip to Kalgoorlie, however, the club spoke with Frank Murphy (who was planning to return to Perth), and were delighted when he agreed to coach the Maroons for the 1946 season.

 

Handed a young and inexperienced team, Murphy moulded them into a disciplined, united and fully committed combination. In spite of a relatively weak and appallingly inaccurate attack, the Maroons finished the regular season in fourth place and qualified for the finals. To advance further, however, they would need to defeat a powerful South Fremantle. It was a task that few pundits thought was possible.

 

In an inspired move on game day, Murphy switched his captain and star centreman Fred Williams to full-forward, where he proved to be unstoppable. Fred kicked 8 goals and the Maroons won by three points. The triumphant Williams was chaired from the ground by his delighted teammates. Murphy later revealed he had dreamt that Williams would ‘bag a lot of goals’ in the match. If such was the case, then this was the ultimate dream come true.

 

It mattered little that Murphy’s men were bundled out of premiership contention two weeks later when comprehensively defeated by West Perth in the preliminary final. Pride and self-belief had been restored at Subiaco, and the club believed its future was strong and secure. Murphy had done his job and was happy to pass the baton on to others.

 

Frank and June were to subsequently have three children, John, Jeffrey and Joan. John was a talented junior footballer, but was territorially bound to Perth FC. He was taken by Subiaco under the WAFL’s father/son rule in 1965, but did not progress beyond ‘Colts’ level. Like most of his family, John is a ‘rusted-on’ Collingwood supporter and closely follows the Magpies’ fortunes. One of his happiest memories was to accompany his father on a nostalgic trip ‘home’ to Victoria in the mid-1980s. Frank and Len spent time together and visited their old teammate Harry Collier. Another memory was the Collingwood Football Club’s 2016 Hall of Fame’s function, when Frank and Len (already Hall of Fame inductees as 1929 premiership players) were (posthumously) inducted as individuals.

 

Frank’s wife June predeceased him in 1984. He maintained a keen interest in local and Victorian football, spending his retirement years quietly. He died in Perth at the age of 90 in May 1995.

 

Len Murphy followed a slightly different path to Collingwood than his older brother. Like Frank, he was a product of Collingwood Tech. Since opening in 1912, the school had produced an extraordinary number of celebrated sports stars. Among its alumni are district, state and test cricketers, Davis Cup tennis players, VFL umpires, champion amateur and professional athletes, an amateur boxing champion, and a multitude of VFL/AFL and VFA footballers, including premiership coaches and players, club captains and Brownlow and Magarey medallists.

 

By the time 17-year-old Len was preparing for the 1927 football season, he had grown into a strapping young man. He stood at almost 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm) and weighed around 13 stone (83 kg). His size, skill and aggression had helped him become a formidable force – even though he was still raw and lacked a little polish and finesse.

 

Len was desperately keen to play alongside his brother Frank at Collingwood. The Magpies, however, were coming off consecutive grand-final losses, and all eyes at Victoria Park were fixed firmly on the ultimate prize for 1927. Breaking into the Collingwood team was almost impossible.

 

VFA club Williamstown (the ‘Seagulls’) happily recruited Len for season 1927. The VFA was a rough and tough league, and the powerfully built young Murphy fitted in well, adding much needed strength to the Seagulls. VFL club Essendon (the ‘Bombers’) sought Len’s services for season 1928 but Murphy was not interested. If he was to play VFL football, it would be with the Magpies or no one. Not even the threat of being suspended from the VFA for 10 years (should he cross to Collingwood without a clearance from Williamstown), deterred him from turning up at Victoria Park for the 1928 pre-season training.

 

After strong practice-match performances, Len was selected in the opening game of the 1928 season and became an important part of the McHale ‘Machine’ from day one. He went on to play 173 games in a 10-year career at Collingwood and was a premiership player in his first three seasons.

 

With Len Murphy, what you saw was what you got. Never stylish or flashy, he was a no-nonsense, underrated yet skilful footballer. He was strong overhead, possessed a booming kick and was deceptively fast. He was good enough to twice finish in the top three of Collingwood’s Copeland trophy and to represent Victoria on two occasions.

 

As his career progressed, Len took on a self-appointed role as a ‘protector’ of younger Magpie players. This probably endeared him to the teammates concerned and may even have intimidated opponents. But it sometimes caused Len to run foul of football authorities. He received an eight-week suspension in 1936 after a semi-final clash with South Melbourne (and later Carlton) champion Brighton Diggins – who was left with a fractured jaw. With his hopes dashed of becoming a four-time premiership player that year (and having missed Collingwood’s 1935 premiership through injury) Len looked towards 1937.

 

Named on the bench for the 1937 grand final against Geelong, Len was expected to play a part in the game at some stage. With scores level at the final break, many thought that Len Murphy’s experience and fresh legs would make a difference. But Jock McHale thought otherwise. The coach left dressing-gown-clad Len to sit, watch and fume as Geelong raced away to win by 32 points. Len decided it was time to take his football career elsewhere.

 

During a two-year absence from VFL, Len coached Nhill in Victoria’s Wimmera, and played a season with Oakleigh in the VFA. He returned to Victoria Park in 1940, hopeful of renewing his career at Collingwood. He took part in pre-season practice matches but was informed his services would not be required.

 

Convinced he could still play at VFL level, Len seized the opportunity to move to Footscray, a club desperately in need of a strong and experienced big man. He was welcomed at the ‘Bulldog kennel’ where, after two years, 25 games and 28 goals, he finally hung up his boots.

 

Len Murphy died at the age of 87 in December 1996. He had played 198 VFL games with two clubs and been a three-time premiership player with the most famous team in VFL/AFL history – Collingwood’s Machine Team. It was a machine in which Len was more than simply just another cog.

 

Like his brother Frank, Len Murphy is held in the highest esteem at Collingwood, and as members of the 1929 premiership team, and both sit comfortably among many club champions in the Magpies Hall of Fame.

 

 

For further information about Des’ book click Here.

 

 

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