The prodigiously talented Greening, who played 108 games between 1968 and 1976, was one of the most exciting footballers ever to represent the Collingwood Football Club.

From a young age Greening had a burning ambition to play for the Magpies.

He was an outstanding junior footballer and arrived at Victoria Park from Burnie in Tasmania in 1967. He was just 16 years of age but would play in the seniors the very next year.


Everything about John Greening bore the stamp of a champion - superb skills, sure hands, and an outrageous spring. He was quick, courageous and fair.  

Greening played with a sense of freedom and daring that made the freakish seem likely. And he made it all look so effortless. He played with a joy for the game that was infectious.

In 1972, as he was reaching his peak, he was cruelly felled behind play. He would make a brave recovery and his comeback match in 1974 was one of the most stirring and emotional events in the history of Collingwood.

In front of more than 70,000 he led Collingwood on to the MCG, booted a goal with his first kick, and was one of the best on the ground as the Magpies recorded a famous victory over Richmond. No Collingwood fan who witnessed it would ever forget it.

Unfortunately after his stirring comeback match, Greening, who had worked so hard to make it back to league football, added only 10 more games to his career tally as all his energy and desire had been focused towards making a return to the game.

In his short career John Greening was a revelation. He had gifts and ambitions others only dream of. He was one of the greatest to have played at Collingwood, one of the greatest to have played the game

At each home game during season 2007 Collingwood is paying tribute to the great players of the club. On Sunday the club hosted 32 life members in a special celebration at the President’s luncheon.

John Greening
Recruited: Burnie, Tasmania
First Played: vs Hawthorn Round 5 1968
Last Played: vs Fitzroy Round 8 1976
Total Games: 108 Day, 2 night
Total Goals: 70
Club Honours: Third in Copeland Trophy 1970, 1972
Guernsey No: 22