Shane O’Bree to become new Collingwood recruiting manager

After a restructuring of their football department, the Magpies are set to welcome home a favourite son to run their recruiting program.

Shane O’Bree is returning home with the former Magpies midfielder set to become Collingwood’s new recruiting manager.

O’Bree has been working under Geelong’s legendary recruiting guru Stephen Wells in recent seasons after having worked as an assistant coach and VFL coach at the Cats.

His return to Collingwood where he played 227 games between 2000-2010 will see him reunited with two of his former Brisbane Lions teammates.

O’Bree started his career at the Lions in 1998 playing 19 games in two seasons alongside now Collingwood coach Craig McRae and Pies list boss Justin Leppitsch.

Shane O'Bree is returning to the Pies.

While the finer details of the move are still being ticked off, O’Bree is believed to have beaten experienced Port Adelaide recruiter Anthony Parkin and Fremantle’s Liam Woodland, who also previously worked under Wells at Geelong, for the role.

The Pies restructured their football department last year with Leppitsch moved into the list manager position.

Long-time recruiting boss Derek Hine then left with his next in line Adam Shepard also departing to join West Coast’s recruiting team.

There has been plenty of movement in the recruiting ranks with the biggest shock the sudden departure of Western Bulldogs boss Dom Milesi last month.

Originally published as Shane O’Bree to become new Collingwood recruiting manager