Collingwood’s build-up to the 2025 season has been labelled a “must-watch” as the club continues to work through considerable off-field changes.
After missing out on finals just 11 months after their 2023 premiership, the black and white army’s corporate team will look notably different next year off the back of multiple key personnel stepping down.
The Pies’ former head of football was appointed the deputy chief executive of Carlton yesterday, only hours before president Jeff Browne stepped away from his role after three years.
And speaking on Fox Footy’s Trading Day, panellist Glenn McFarlane flagged one movement behind closed doors may have been a result of higher-ups not seeing eye-to-eye.
“(Carlton president) Luke Sayers called Graham Wright the best football person in the country to lead a football club – now that was a jab at Collingwood, because we know that Collingwood is actually looking for ‘Wrighty’s’ replacement,” McFarlane began by saying.
“There’s no question that there were internal differences between Graham Wright and Craig Kelly at Collingwood, there’s absolutely no doubt about that.
“I think this is a really good appointment; he gets 12 months to spend underneath Brian Cook, who’s one of the legendary CEO’s … I think it’s a great appointment and maybe caught Collingwood a little bit on the fly.”
Wright’s new role will begin by shadowing current chief executive Cook for 12 months, before stepping into the role himself.
His previous work at a list manager at Hawthorn before stints as a football boss at the Hawks and Magpies see him hold an excellent footballing resume that the Blues couldn’t resist pursuing.
The 56-year-old was appointed the gig at Carlton after attracting interest from the AFL, the Adelaide Crows and Tasmania Devils.
And while the Magpies are hotly tipped to be back in the premiership window in 2025 after a tough run with injuries, there’s no doubt that Wright exit, along with Jeff Browne will be sorely felt.
Browne sent a heartfelt letter to members on Tuesday morning informing them of his own resignation, noting that his battle with cancer has impacted his ability to cope with the demands of being president at such a big club.
“I do want to assure you I am healthy and in remission from my cancer diagnosis last year, but as you would understand, the demands of being President are significant and carry a heavy responsibility and workload. I do need some more time to devote to maintaining my health and I am confident that the next President will bring their own style and lead the Club admirably and with great distinction,” he told members.
