Craig Kelly opens up on Jeff Browne’s Collingwood exit and personal toll of racism allegations

Collingwood chief executive Craig Kelly has broken his silence on being the centre of racism allegations, lauding the support he received from outgoing president Jeff Browne.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 23: Collingwood CEO Craig Kelly looks on after the round 24 AFL match between Melbourne Demons and Collingwood Magpies at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on August 23, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Collingwood chief executive Craig Kelly has revealed outgoing president Jeff Browne’s strong support helped him through a wrongful dismissal claim by a former staffer accusing him of racial slurs.

The Magpies last month settled the case with the club’s former head of First Nations strategy Mark Cleaver.

Kelly had remained silent on the matter since the Herald Sun reported the issue, but said on Thursday it had been a challenging time for him and his family.

“It’s hard on the family, it’s hard on a whole heap of things, but you have to get on with things,” Kelly said on SEN.

“Unfortunately, what we have had to do at the club is make some changes and do some things, and it doesn’t always line up with everyone.

“I am going to miss Jeff (Browne) a lot. He is an amazing gentleman, how he got behind and supported (Kelly). To be honest, I have just been able to focus on what I have to do.

“He has taken a lot of the pressure in relation to that (the claim). It wasn’t a good time. I don’t really want to talk about it too much because it is quite legal.

“But it is done and we move on.”

Kelly said the Magpies were delighted to welcome Charlie Gardiner as the club’s new footy boss, while defending the club’s lengthy appointment search following the departure of Graham Wright to Carlton.

“We had the conversation at the time with Jeff (Browne) and me and he (Wright) sat in our office and said during the period there, there may be a situation where he gets opportunities elsewhere, (and he may not come back to Collingwood),” Kelly said.

“Those conversations were had during the year, they had to drag out a little bit longer than we wanted to for a whole heap of reasons, nothing to do with Wrighty.

“Good on Wrighty, he’s got a great opportunity (at Carlton as deputy CEO, Cooky (Brian Cook) is an amazing CEO as a long-term guy in the industry.

“But the thing is now he’s at Carlton and we’re at Collingwood … last time I checked the two don’t like each other that much.”

Kelly said of Gardiner: “He just fitted us beautifully, he’s got great experience.”

Craig Kelly says the racism allegations took a toll on his family.

Kelly says Charlie Gardiner was the perfect fit for the Magpies.

“He’s been with the Sydney Swans, and I think all of us should agree that they’ve been a consistent performer and a tough market.

“He’s been able to not only be involved in the list, which I think he’s done a great job with. But also, (former Swans coach) John Longmire has a strong personality so to have that relationship they’ve had (is impressive) and (CEO) Tom Harley is also an outstanding person.

“He and I have been talking through this process and he’s been so professional, it’s just right.

“The other guys (in the running) Peter Bell and Justin Reid … they were outstanding as well, but they’re slightly different with different experiences.

He said the Magpies were happy to take part in Opening Round next year, but ruled them out of doing it for a third year in 2026, saying other clubs needed to contribute as well.

And he backed the club having the oldest list in the AFL next year, saying footballers were now in a position to play better for longer, given the advances in medical sciences and treatment.