Nick Maxwell
Encyclopedia
Nick Maxwell is an Australian rules football
player and current captain of the Collingwood Football Club
in the Australian Football League
(AFL).
. He was educated at St. Joseph's College
where he played his junior football.
In 2001, Maxwell played for the Geelong Falcons
in the TAC Cup
.
His first senior football was played with the North Ballarat Football Club
in the Victorian Football League
(VFL).
In his first year at the club he played most of his games with VFL affiliate Williamstown Seagulls
. Late the following year, he played in an off-season exhibition match in London
against Fremantle
, in which he performed impressively. Collingwood retained Maxwell on their rookie list. When Tom Davidson
was added to the long term injury list, the club promoted Maxwell to the senior list. His debut came soon after in Round 9 against Adelaide
and proved enough, playing 10 games in his first season as a hard-running defender. His size however was still tall and very lean. His promotion was then lifted as he was elevated onto the senior list for the next season.
In 2005, Maxwell had a breakthrough once again. His presence was more physical . After spending two weeks in the grandstands he received the call up to replace the out of form Ryan Lonie in round three, and did not miss another match. Arguably his best matches were against Sydney
at Telstra Stadium
, and at the Gabba
against the Brisbane Lions
. He kicked six goals for the season, at times when they were needed late in a quarter to help momentum. At 22 he was regarded by many as a player possessing outstanding maturity and dedication onfield.
Maxwell would have a solid start to the season in 2006. In Round 10 he would put his body on the line in a contest where he dived in to receive a hard ball get, getting crunched by Jonathan Brown of the Brisbane Lions
, and would break his leg. He would miss the next 6 weeks with the broken leg, but would come back to the side and play every game for the rest of the year, showing his reasons of cementing a spot in the soon to be successful side.
In 2007, he became AFLPA representative for Collingwood. He played all 25 games, including three finals and was a regular contributor to the side. Coach Mick Malthouse
used Maxwell as a utility, with an ability to play both ends of the ground and kicking eight goals. His total of 98 tackles, third highest at Collingwood. An example was his vigorous tackle in the Preliminary Final against Geelong
's Max Rooke. Maxwell's leadership at Collingwood was shown throughout the season. He captained the club for the first time in Round 16 against Essendon in a 29 point win.
In the 2008 pre-season, Maxwell would be handed the number five guernsey, worn by retired club captain and icon Nathan Buckley
. He also became the vice-captain of the side and was one of the favourites to beat Scott Burns
for the captaincy role left vacant by Buckley, but Burns was given the top job.
In the 2009 NAB Cup
, Maxwell was controversially cited by the AFL tribunal for a shirtfront on West Coast's Patrick McGinnity
which broke McGinnity's jaw. The incident caused significant controversy. Collingwood launched a successful appeal, the only one in the history of the recently-introduced incarnation of the AFL tribunal and the decision was completely reversed.
He was suspended in Round 3 of the AFL season for an incident involving Steve Johnson of the Geelong Cats, causing some media commentators to cast doubts on his choice as club captain.
Maxwell was selected in the 2009 All-Australian side on the half back flank.
On the 2nd of October 2010, Maxwell captained Collingwood to its first AFL premiership in 20 years; the first since the 1990 premiership victory. The win came about in semi-controversial style, with the first Grand Final ending in a draw one week earlier. Maxwell declared the situation an "absolute joke" in an interview with Matthew Richardson immediately post-game. Collingwood won the replay 16.12(108) to St Kilda 7.10(52).
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
player and current captain of the Collingwood Football Club
Collingwood Football Club
The Collingwood Football Club, nicknamed The Magpies, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
in the Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
(AFL).
Early life
Nick Maxwell was born in Geelong to parents Sue and Doug and at age 10 moved to WallingtonWallington, Victoria
Wallington is a rural township near Geelong. At the 2006 census, the town and surrounding area had a population of 1,353.The township was settled in the early 1870s, the Post Office opening on February 22, 1872...
. He was educated at St. Joseph's College
St. Joseph's College, Geelong
St Joseph's College, sometimes referred to colloquially as Joeys or SJC, is a Roman Catholic Independent school for boys located in the inner Geelong suburb of Newtown...
where he played his junior football.
In 2001, Maxwell played for the Geelong Falcons
Geelong Falcons
The Geelong Falcons are a junior Australian rules football representative club in the TAC Cup competition, Victoria, Australia.The club takes in talented junior players from the Geelong, Colac and Warrnambool regions in order to groom them for AFL selection...
in the TAC Cup
TAC Cup
The TAC Cup is an under 18 Australian rules football representative competition held in Victoria, Australia. It is based on geographic regions throughout country Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne with each team representing 12 Victorian regions....
.
His first senior football was played with the North Ballarat Football Club
North Ballarat Football Club
North Ballarat Football Club, nicknamed The Roosters, is an Australian rules football club based at Northern Oval in Ballarat. The club is locally known as the Roosters and plays in the Victorian Football League are current competition premiers and one of only four clubs based outside of Melbourne...
in the Victorian Football League
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
(VFL).
AFL career
Maxwell was spotted by AFL club Collingwood who selected him as a rookie player in 2002.In his first year at the club he played most of his games with VFL affiliate Williamstown Seagulls
Williamstown Football Club
The Williamstown Football Club, nicknamed The Seagulls, is an Australian rules football club based in Melbourne and are currently playing in the Victorian Football League...
. Late the following year, he played in an off-season exhibition match in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
against Fremantle
Fremantle Football Club
The Fremantle Football Club, nicknamed The Dockers, is an Australian rules football team which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in the port city of Fremantle at the mouth of the Swan River in Western Australia...
, in which he performed impressively. Collingwood retained Maxwell on their rookie list. When Tom Davidson
Tom Davidson
Tom Davidson is a former Australian rules footballer who was recruited from the Geelong Falcons in the 2001 AFL Draft by the Collingwood Football Club....
was added to the long term injury list, the club promoted Maxwell to the senior list. His debut came soon after in Round 9 against Adelaide
Adelaide Crows
The Adelaide Football Club, nicknamed The Crows, is a professional Australian rules football club based in Adelaide, South Australia, playing in the Australian Football League ....
and proved enough, playing 10 games in his first season as a hard-running defender. His size however was still tall and very lean. His promotion was then lifted as he was elevated onto the senior list for the next season.
In 2005, Maxwell had a breakthrough once again. His presence was more physical . After spending two weeks in the grandstands he received the call up to replace the out of form Ryan Lonie in round three, and did not miss another match. Arguably his best matches were against Sydney
Sydney Swans
The Sydney Swans Football Club is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in Sydney, New South Wales. The club, founded in 1874, was known as the South Melbourne Football Club until it relocated to Sydney in 1982 to become the Sydney...
at Telstra Stadium
Telstra Stadium
Stadium Australia, currently also known as ANZ Stadium due to naming rights, formerly known as Telstra Stadium, is a multi-purpose stadium located in the Sydney Olympic Park precinct of Homebush Bay...
, and at the Gabba
Brisbane Cricket Ground
The Brisbane Cricket Ground, commonly known as The Gabba, is a major sports stadium in Brisbane, the capital of Queensland. It is named after the suburb of Woolloongabba, in which it is located....
against the Brisbane Lions
Brisbane Lions
The Brisbane Lions is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in Brisbane, Queensland. The club was formed from the merger of the Brisbane Bears and the Fitzroy Lions in 1996...
. He kicked six goals for the season, at times when they were needed late in a quarter to help momentum. At 22 he was regarded by many as a player possessing outstanding maturity and dedication onfield.
Maxwell would have a solid start to the season in 2006. In Round 10 he would put his body on the line in a contest where he dived in to receive a hard ball get, getting crunched by Jonathan Brown of the Brisbane Lions
Brisbane Lions
The Brisbane Lions is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in Brisbane, Queensland. The club was formed from the merger of the Brisbane Bears and the Fitzroy Lions in 1996...
, and would break his leg. He would miss the next 6 weeks with the broken leg, but would come back to the side and play every game for the rest of the year, showing his reasons of cementing a spot in the soon to be successful side.
In 2007, he became AFLPA representative for Collingwood. He played all 25 games, including three finals and was a regular contributor to the side. Coach Mick Malthouse
Mick Malthouse
Michael "Mick" Malthouse is a former Australian rules footballer and the former coach of the Collingwood Football Club.While his playing career included a premiership for Richmond in the VFL, he is best known for his Australian Football League coaching career.Malthouse is the most successful coach...
used Maxwell as a utility, with an ability to play both ends of the ground and kicking eight goals. His total of 98 tackles, third highest at Collingwood. An example was his vigorous tackle in the Preliminary Final against Geelong
Geelong Football Club
The Geelong Football Club, nicknamed The Cats, is a professional Australian rules football club, named after and based in the city of Geelong, playing in the Australian Football League . The club has been the VFL/AFL premiers nine times, with a record equalling 3 in the AFL era. Geelong has also...
's Max Rooke. Maxwell's leadership at Collingwood was shown throughout the season. He captained the club for the first time in Round 16 against Essendon in a 29 point win.
In the 2008 pre-season, Maxwell would be handed the number five guernsey, worn by retired club captain and icon Nathan Buckley
Nathan Buckley
Nathan Charles Buckley is a former professional Australian rules football player, commentator and coach, best known for his time as captain of the Collingwood Football Club in the Australian Football League ....
. He also became the vice-captain of the side and was one of the favourites to beat Scott Burns
Scott Burns
Scott Burns is a former Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League.-Football career:Originally from Norwood Football Club in the South Australian National Football League, Burns was drafted by the Collingwood Football Club with the 90th selection in the 1992 National Draft...
for the captaincy role left vacant by Buckley, but Burns was given the top job.
Captaincy
On 17 December 2008 Collingwood Football Club announced the appointment of Maxwell as the club captain.In the 2009 NAB Cup
2009 NAB Cup
The 2009 NAB Cup is the Australian Football League pre-season competition that was played before the Australian Football League's 2009 Premiership season begins. It culminated with the Final on 13 March 2009 played between Geelong and Collingwood and was won by Geelong...
, Maxwell was controversially cited by the AFL tribunal for a shirtfront on West Coast's Patrick McGinnity
Patrick McGinnity
Patrick McGinnity is an Australian rules footballer, currently playing with the West Coast Eagles in the Australian Football League. He was recruited with pick no. 8 in the 2008 Pre-Season Draft from the Claremont Football Club in the WAFL, and made his debut for the West Coast Eagles in 2009...
which broke McGinnity's jaw. The incident caused significant controversy. Collingwood launched a successful appeal, the only one in the history of the recently-introduced incarnation of the AFL tribunal and the decision was completely reversed.
He was suspended in Round 3 of the AFL season for an incident involving Steve Johnson of the Geelong Cats, causing some media commentators to cast doubts on his choice as club captain.
Maxwell was selected in the 2009 All-Australian side on the half back flank.
On the 2nd of October 2010, Maxwell captained Collingwood to its first AFL premiership in 20 years; the first since the 1990 premiership victory. The win came about in semi-controversial style, with the first Grand Final ending in a draw one week earlier. Maxwell declared the situation an "absolute joke" in an interview with Matthew Richardson immediately post-game. Collingwood won the replay 16.12(108) to St Kilda 7.10(52).