WHEN names of fame and fortune are tossed around as they often are in football, standing strong in the backbone are the likes of Norm Smith, and his frequent opposition of the day - Collingwood’s Phonse Kyne.

With the heritage of Queen’s Birthday reminding all of the fierce rivalry engendered over a massive seven Grand Finals between the two sides - the most between any two clubs in the competition past or present - it is fitting to recall that those at the helm during these contests were the creators of the grand tradition that is Melbourne vs Collingwood. 

Smith and Kyne were preceded by giants of their clubs in the shape of ‘Checker’ Hughes and Jock McHale respectively. 

Hughes had held the reins from 1933 to 1948 (minus a wartime recess), and led the red and blue to four flags in 1939, 1940, 1941 and 1948. 

McHale had been the legend on which the Magpies were built, in charge from 1912 to 1949 and seeing the black and white army dominated to the tune of eight premierships - in 1917, 1919, 1927, 1928, 1929, 1930, 1935 and 1936. 

It was fitting that the premiership coaching award would ultimately be called the McHale Medal, and that one of the first recipients would be Phonse Kyne, taking the Magpies to a flag in 1953.

Of course, the rivalry between the two sides was sprinkled in amongst the Kyne and Hughes seasons, particularly with Melbourne winning the 1926 flag against Collingwood. 

It was a foundation for great respect and admiration, mixed in with a massive dose of competitive spirit. And, come the 1950s, it gathered remarkable force from the Melbourne side of the equation with the leadership of Norm Smith added to the mix.

The first time the Smith-Kyne rivalry raised its head at the business end of the season was in 1955 - the second semi-final. Melbourne won, and progressed to a Grand Final against the Magpies - which they also won. 

This effort was repeated in 1956, before a brief hiatus during which Melbourne took care of the Bombers in 1957. 

The red and blue looked set for domination along the same lines as the black and white between 1927 and 1930 - but the Magpies were set to be the Demons’ 1958 nemesis, taking the flag and retaining the solo honour of four premierships in a row to this day. 

It was a shell-shock for Melbourne, but the coach rose to the occasion with equanimity and respect of the foe. ‘When Phonse Kyne comes in, we’ve got to be very, very gracious.’ 

Smith and Kyne knew that they would meet again on the biggest day of the season, and so it was. 

In 1960 - following a win against Essendon in 1959 - and in 1964, the Melbourne strength held sway. 

Smith was up against a new rival - Bob Rose - in the latter season, with Kyne having departed at the end of 1963. Smith himself would not take Melbourne to another Grand Final before his tenure finally closed in 1967. 

It was the end of two grand eras for two great clubs, with names that still resound.