๐๐๐๐: ๐พ๐ค๐ก๐ก๐๐ฃ๐๐ฌ๐ค๐ค๐ ๐ผ๐ฃ๐ฃ๐ค๐ช๐ฃ๐๐๐จ ๐๐๐๐ค๐ง ๐๐๐ฃ๐๐๐๐ข๐๐ฃ๐ฉ
MELBOURNE, VIC โ The Collingwood Football Club has entered a new chapter in its long and storied history, announcing a sweeping overhaul of its management structure in what is being described as one of the most significant internal reforms of the modern era.
Unveiled during a press conference at the AIA Centre on Thursday, the reform marks a strategic reset for the reigning 2023 premiers as they aim to build a more aligned and future-focused football program. The announcement was led by club president Jeff Browne, who described the move as a โdefining moment for the Collingwood Football Club.
At the heart of the reform is the appointment of Charlie Gardiner as the clubโs new Executive General Manager of Football. Gardiner, a former Sydney Swans football executive, is regarded as a progressive thinker in football operations and will play a central role in shaping the future of Collingwoodโs football department.
Gardiner replaces Graham Wright, who resigned earlier this year after leading the club to its 16th premiership in 2023. Wright has since been appointed CEO-in-waiting at Carlton, ending a highly successful stint at the Magpies.
Also exiting the club is long-time recruiter and list manager Derek Hine, whose two decades at Collingwood have been marked by some of the most significant player acquisitions in club history. His departure signals a clean slate in the football department, with a fresh recruitment strategy expected under Gardinerโs leadership.
We thank Graham and Derek for their enormous contributions, Browne added. But we believe itโs time to bring in new energy and new ideas.
In tandem with the executive restructuring, Collingwood has also refreshed its boardroom. At the clubโs 2024 Annual General Meeting, Barry Carp and Renรฉe Roberts were re-elected to the board, while Gaye Morris and Dan Rosen were welcomed as new directors.
The additions bring diverse skill sets from corporate, legal, and human resource backgrounds, signalling a renewed focus on governance, integrity, and long-term planning.
Outgoing president Jeff Browne, who has confirmed he will step down at the end of 2025 due to health and workload reasons, will work closely with the new board to ensure a smooth transition of leadership.
The structural reforms come at a time of heightened scrutiny across the AFL landscape, with increased pressure on clubs to adapt to evolving commercial, cultural, and player welfare expectations.
For Collingwood, the changes are designed to better integrate football and business operations, modernise recruitment strategies, and ensure alignment across all levels of the clubโfrom the senior team to the academy and women’s programs.
Incoming Football Boss Charlie Gardiner said he was โhonouredโ to join the Magpies and excited to help shape its future.
While the reform signals bold change, the club is conscious of preserving its identity and legacy. With a passionate membership base and strong cultural expectations, any transition comes with high stakes.
Head coach Craig McRae, who led the club to premiership glory in just his second season, expressed support for the changes, saying they were necessary to meet the evolving demands of the modern game.
Sources within the club say a renewed emphasis will be placed on player development, leadership culture, and wellbeing, particularly in light of recent personal challenges faced by players such as Bobby Hill.
Collingwoodโs management reform sends a clear message to the football world: the Magpies are planning for the next decade, not just the next season.
With a premiership window still wide open, the club is attempting to ensure its off-field structures are as elite and forward-thinking as its on-field operations. Whether the changes yield immediate results or take time to mature, the Magpies have made their intentions clear.
Theyโre not just planning to stay competitive โ theyโre planning to lead.
As the 2025 season rolls on, all eyes will be on how the new leadership takes shape โ and whether this bold new era will deliver the sustained dominance the Collingwood faithful are hoping for..