Collingwood inducted seven of its greatest into its Hall of Fame at the club’s Season Launch held at the Crown Palladium ballroom on Monday night.

In front of 700 guests, Charlie Dibbs, Harry Curtis, Bill Twomey Jr, Ray Gabelich, Kevin Rose, Peter Moore and Denis Banks joined 30 fellow former Magpie legends as well as the 1929 team as recipients of the football club’s highest honour.

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire spoke from the heart about the contributions of these great men to Collingwood.

"Tonight's inductees exemplify the spirit of Collingwood. They have set the standard; they have shown what it means to be a great Collingwood footballer", Mr.McGuire said in his opening address.

"Their names are synonymous with qualities such as - sportsmanship, courage, integrity, 'teamanship' and skill. Tonight we celebrate their achievements and all they have given to us."

Dibbs, Curtis, Twomey Jr and Gabelich are no longer with us, but were represented by honoured relatives, while Rose, Moore and Banks spoke emotionally and passionately about their contributions to Collingwood and what the club means to them.

The current players were also presented with their 2007 guernseys as Collingwood kicked off the 2007 campaign in fine style, and indeed it was an occasion to remind all in attendance why there are so many who passionately support the black and white stipes.

The 2007 Hall of Fame inductees:

CHARLIE DIBBS
  • One of the great players of the Collingwood “Machine" Team.
  • Played in no less than five Collingwood Premierships - 1927,1928 1929, 1930, 1935
  • Led Collingwood‘s defence as full back in 216 games (kicked one goal!)

    Club Honours
    Recruited: Stanton Street Football Club
    First Played: vs Melbourne 1924
    Last Played: vs South Melbourne, Grand Final 1935
    Premiership Player: 1927,1928 1929, 1930, 1935
    Games: 216
    Goals: 1
    Victoria: 1928, 1935
    Life Member


    HARRY CURTIS
  • A brilliant premiership player
  • Played at Centre Half Forward in the Premierships of 1917 and 1919 – in 1919 was regarded by many as best on ground.
  • Formed a deadly partnership with the great Dick Lee
  • President of Collingwood for more than 25 years from 1924 until 1950 presiding over Premierships and an era of unprecedented success.

    Club Honours
    Games: 122
    Goals: 149
    First Played: vs Fitzroy 1914
    Last Played: vs Melbourne 1923
    Premiership Player: 1917, 1919
    Captain: 1923
    President: 1924 - 50
    Patron: 1963-68
    Interstate representative: 1923
    Life member


    BILL TWOMEY JUNIOR
  • One of the most exciting and brilliant footballers ever to represent Collingwood
  • In 1946 at the age of 18 he represented Victoria and was runner up in the Copeland Trophy
  • Made history as one of the stars of the 1953 Premiership Team playing alongside his brothers Mick and Pat.

    Club Honours
    Games: 189
    Goals: 149
    Recruited: St Thomas, Fairfield YCW
    Premiership Player: 1953
    Copeland Trophy: 1956
    Runner up Copeland Trophy: 1946
    Third in Copeland Trophy: 1948
    Captain: 1957
    Committee: 1973-75
    Interstate representative: 1946,1948,1957


    RAY GABELICH
  • One of the great men of football and one of the most popular men to have played for Collingwood
  • Premiership Player in 1958 and winner of the 1960 Copeland Trophy.
  • All Australian selection 1961 and Captain of Collingwood in 1964 and 1965.

    Club Honours
    Games: 160
    Goals: 43
    Premiership Player: 1958
    Brownlow Medal Runner Up: 1959
    Copeland Trophy: 1960
    Runner up Copeland Trophy: 1959
    Captain: 1964,65
    Life Member
    Interstate representative: 1959,60,62
    All Australian: 1961
    Best Player Sporting Globe: 1959


    KEVIN ROSE
  • Arrived at Collingwood as a 15 year old in 1955
  • Played with distinction in three Grand Finals for Collingwood and was a member of the 1958 Premiership Team
  • One of the most selfless men to have served the club. A man renowned for honesty, integrity, decency and a great passion for Collingwood.

    Club Honours
    Recruited: Nyah West
    First Played: vs Carlton 1958
    Last Played: vs Geelong 1967
    Games: 159 day, 6 night
    Goals: 46
    Premiership Player: 1958
    Most Determined: 1964
    Vice Captain: 1965
    Reserves Best and Fairest: 1958
    Captain U19’s: 1957
    VFL Representative: 1961
    Life Member
    President
    Member of the CFC Board


    PETER MOORE
  • Changed the face of football with his athleticism and became one of the most exciting “big men" ever to play for Collingwood.
  • Won the Brownlow Medal in 1979 and 1984
  • Won two Copeland Trophies in 1979 and 1980
  • One of the most exciting high marks the game has seen winning the 1978 Mark of the Year

    Club Honours
    Games: 172 day, 11 night, 8 Interstate
    Goals: 192
    Brownlow Medal: 1979, 1984
    Copeland Trophy: 1979, 1980
    Most Consistent: 1979,80
    Magpie of the Year: 1979,1980
    Best Player In Finals: 1980
    Best Local Recruit: 1974
    Interstate representative: 1977, 79, 80, 81
    Guernsey Number: 30
    Mark of the Year: 1978


    DENIS BANKS
  • One of the most talented and courageous players ever to wear the black & white stripes of Collingwood
  • In 1990 Tony Shaw said – “Banksy has been through hell for this club. He’s just so loyal. He always thinks about the team and not himself. He really is part of the soul of our team."
    Club Honours
    Recruited: East Reservoir
    Games: 166 games between 1979 and 1991
    Goals: 111
    Vice Captain: 1988,1989
    Deputy Vice Captain: 1987
    Premiership Player: 1990
    Copeland Runner Up: 1984
    Interstate Representative: 1992, 1993
    Most Courageous: 1984, 1986
    Best Player In Finals: 1984
    Best First Year Player: 1979
    Best Local Recruit: 1979
    Guernsey Number: 12