Norman Charles Collins (7 May 1904 – 29 August 1933) was an

Australian rules football Australian football, also called Australian rules football or Aussie rules, or more simply football or footy, is a contact sport played between two teams of 18 players on an oval field, often a modified cricket ground. Points are scored by k ...

er who played with

Fitzroy Fitzroy or FitzRoy may refer to: People As a given name *Several members of the Somerset family (Dukes of Beaufort) have this as a middle-name: **FitzRoy Somerset, 1st Baron Raglan (1788–1855) ** Henry Charles FitzRoy Somerset, 8th Duke of Beau ...

Carlton Carlton may refer to: People * Carlton (name), a list of those with the given name or surname * Carlton (singer), English soul singer Carlton McCarthy * Carlton, a pen name used by Joseph Caldwell (1773–1835), American educator, Presbyterian ...

and

Hawthorn Hawthorn or Hawthorns may refer to: Plants * '' Crataegus'' (hawthorn), a large genus of shrubs and trees in the family Rosaceae * ''Rhaphiolepis'' (hawthorn), a genus of about 15 species of evergreen shrubs and small trees in the family Rosace ...

in the

Victorian Football League The Victorian Football League (VFL) is an Australian rules football league in Australia serving as one of the second-tier regional semi-professional competitions which sit underneath the fully professional Australian Football League (AFL). It ...

(VFL). Holmesby & Main (2014), p.170.

Football

Fitzroy (VFL)

Born in

Malvern Malvern or Malverne may refer to: Places Australia * Malvern, South Australia, a suburb of Adelaide * Malvern, Victoria, a suburb of Melbourne * City of Malvern, a former local government area near Melbourne * Electoral district of Malvern, an e ...

, Collins played his junior football for Fitzroy and in 1924 made his VFL debut, alongside his elder brother

Goldie Clifford Joseph Price MBE (born 19 September 1965), better known as Goldie, is a British music producer and DJ. Initially gaining exposure for his work as a graffiti artist, Goldie became well known for his pioneering role as a musician in th ...

. Another brother, Harry, had also played at Fitzroy but was killed in 1918 while fighting in France. Fitzroy had won a premiership in 1922.

Carlton (VFL)

As Collins found it difficult to break into the team, he transferred to Carlton after two seasons. He was used initially at Carlton as a centreman but after sitting out of the

1928 VFL season The 1928 VFL season was the 32nd season of the Victorian Football League (VFL), the highest level senior Australian rules football competition in Victoria. The season featured twelve clubs, ran from 21 April until 29 September, and comprised an ...

the position had been taken up by new recruit

Colin Martyn Ronald Arthur Colin Martyn (27 January 1903 – 11 January 1968) was an Australian rules footballer who played in the Victorian Football League (VFL). Martyn made his debut for the Carlton Football Club The Carlton Football Club, nicknamed ...

. When he returned in 1929, the former Fitzroy player was tried as a half forward flanker, rover and defender. He played finals that year, kicking two goals in Carlton's losing Preliminary Final team. However, he soon found himself out of favour and missed selection in the 1930 finals series and played only once in 1931.

Hawthorn (VFL)

Collins crossed to Hawthorn during the 1931 season where he played as a defender. He filled in as Hawthorn's captain on occasion. He retired in 1933, citing an inability to strike form.

Death

Just two months after making his last appearance for Hawthorn Collins committed suicide.

Notes

References

* Holmesby, Russell; Main, Jim (2014). ''The Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers: every AFL/VFL player since 1897'' (10th ed.). Melbourne, Victoria: Bas Publishing. {{DEFAULTSORT:Collins, Norm 1904 births 1933 deaths 1933 suicides Australian rules footballers from Melbourne Australian Rules footballers: place kick exponents Fitzroy Football Club players Carlton Football Club players Hawthorn Football Club players Suicides by hanging in Australia Suicides in Victoria (state) People from Malvern, Victoria