For the Victoria Cross winner see John Coleman (VC)

Coleman was an instant success from the moment he played his first VFL game. He kicked twelve goals on his debut, an equal record, and was the league's leading goal kicker from 1949 to 1953, every full season he played. His record of 5.48 goals per game is the second best in the history of the league.

However, Coleman's true brilliance can be measured by the fact that he was considered an extremely unselfish full-forward, who was more likely to kick the ball to a team-mate in a better position than take a shot on goal. As Jack Dyer observed, "As long as Essendon gets the goals Coleman doesn't worry who kicks them". Adding to this, in the era Coleman played, there was only a single field umpire, who was often too far from the play to see the illegal holding and pushing tactics his opponents often employed against him. For these reasons many football writers feel it's impossible to tell by statistics alone just how good Coleman was.

Coleman's career was tragically cut short by a knee injury in 1954, forcing him into retirement. Had modern sports medicine been available, the injury probably would have sidelined him for no more than a month or two. After his enforced retirement, he became coach of Essendon from 1961 through to 1967, winning premierships in 1962 and 1965. His coaching career, like his playing career, was cut short when poor health forced him to step down. He died only six years later, in 1973, aged only 44.

Since his death, Coleman has been recognised as the second greatest player to play for Essendon in the "Champions of Essendon" list. He was also named one of the twelve inaugral inductees into the AFL hall of fame as a "Legend of the Game". Confirming his status as the greatest full-forward to play the game, he was named as the full-forward in the AFL's team of the century.