Less than 11 months after their storied premiership, Collingwood have lost one of the principle architects of that flag following the resignation of football boss and ex-premiership hero Graham Wright after a club-paid sabbatical this season.
Tensions between Wright and chief executive Craig Kelly, a 1990 premiership teammate, were among the factors that have led to the decision to leave the club, as the Pies appear certain to seek an outsider to replace Wright, who has already been sounded by the AFL and other clubs about potential positions
Multiple sources from Collingwood and the AFL industry, who requested anonymity to speak freely, have confirmed that tension had developed between the forthright chief executive Kelly and Wright during a difficult year in which the Magpies are all but certain to miss finals. Difficulties arose after Collingwood’s hierarchy opted to give Wright several months leave this year – paying him as a consultant – and to reshape the football department in his absence.
Wright’s decision to quit follows an attempt by president Jeff Browne to persuade him to remain at the club in his position as general manager of football. It was Browne who dealt with Wright rather than CEO Kelly. Browne also has had regular conversations with senior coach Craig McRae about the football department reshuffle.
Kelly, who previously ran the sports management company TLA Worldwide – which had McRae, Collingwood assistant coach Justin Leppitsch and Wright as clients – is among the most-connected figures in football and also took a more hands-on role at the club once Wright stepped away. Wright had tendered his resignation after the premiership but Browne, McRae and the board were keen to retain him and devised the plan to grant him a period of extended leave while keeping him on the payroll.
Leppitsch was empowered during Wright’s sabbatical and given some list-management responsibilities, while fellow assistant Brendon Bolton became GM of football – but will not take up that position in the future restructure, according to well-placed sources who spoke on condition of anonymity
Leave a Reply