The Magpies were commanding the headlines that year with a 13-6 record to finish second on the ladder. A drawn semi final against Essendon and a loss to Melbourne saw Collingwood fall 13 points short of making the 1946 grand final.
McHale, who finished his career with most games coached in VFL/AFL history (714), was in the twilight of his career as senior coach of his beloved club.
"I would try to head down to the fence and get a close position to the play," longtime supporter Peter Weir told Collingwoodfc.com.au during his visit to the Westpac Centre.
Weir, who fell victim to the editor's decision to focus on McHale, can still remember his father discovering that his eight-year-old son was standing next to the coach in the photo.
"I woke up the next morning and dad showed me a picture of McHale in the paper and believed the photo was cropped where I was standing.
"We headed down to the Herald Sun offices to purchase a copy of the original photo and there I was."
A junior member at the time, Weir enjoyed many great moments as a member of the Magpie Army before he relocated to Western Australia to work on the mining projects in Mt. Newman.
"I can remember the '58 grand final. It was a great time to be a Collingwood man. We all headed to the 'G and watched the boys take home the prize."
The Collingwood archives committee showed Weir and his family around the club during his visit to Melbourne.
"I can't believe that photo was used in McHale's Hall of Fame poster. It's great to see it hanging inside the club."
It has taken 64 years but now Weir can finally see the full photo taken on the day, published on Collingwoodfc.com.au.
The cropped photo published in the Herald Sun of Jock McHale.
The full photo: Peter Wier, 8, standing next to Syd Coventry, Jock McHale (coach), Bob Rush and Gordon Carlyon.
