Collingwood president Mark Korda calls for fans to support his board and the club

The appointment of board member Bridie O’Donnell was met with staunch criticism, and Collingwood president Mark Korda says the controversy is over the top.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 19: Magpies fans show their support during the round one AFL match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Western Bulldogs at Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 19, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

I feel the pain of Collingwood supporters. And so do the players, coaches, staff, sponsors and directors. I feel the pain as much as anyone. Allow me to explain.

Belonging to Collingwood is a heart-and-soul experience for me and my family.

I discovered Collingwood as a child of a migrant father who had been, a refugee from Czechoslovakia.

He left a part of Europe that was torn apart by violence, a coup, occupation and war.

In Melbourne, football – and Collingwood in particular - was a place where passions could be enjoyed without violence and where everyone was entitled to be part of a tribe without fear of fatal retribution.

It was a welcoming culture for migrant families bruised by hatreds.

It was a place that united the rich and famous with the poor and the underprivileged.

I admire the white-hot passion among Magpie fans.

I embrace their right to forcefully debate team selection, coaching performances, recruiting decisions and, yes, Board matters.

But members should be wary of the politics associated with attempted coups.

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Collingwood players celebrate a goal in the Round 8 victory over North Melbourne. Picture: Getty Images

Football banter will be replaced by damaging infighting that will threaten the essence of the Collingwood culture – Side by Side.

When that withers, the club withers too.

Or, as John Howard warned many times, disunity is death.

Coups are not good for football clubs – ask Eddie.

We have already seen signs of Canberra-style undermining campaigns around Collingwood.

There are other ways for members to vent their frustrations about the on-field and off-field performance of the club.

There are ways for them to participate in problem-solving. More about that later.

The growth and complexity of football clubs in recent decades has made it even more important that clubs assemble boards with the skills required to steer clubs in 21st century Australia – management skills, football knowledge, accounting skills, legal skills, cultural skills, risk management, etc.

We are managing many millions of dollars of other people’s money and individual directors can be personally liable for decisions that are not properly tested.

The club has never been in better financial shape, with almost $18 million making significant money in a Future Fund, $10 million in cash, and a further $15 million in funding for the beginning of a redevelopment of our home at Olympic Park.

We have a suite of strong, stable sponsorships.

Our community activities at Victoria Park honour the club’s roots and culture and are something of which every member should be proud.

It is important that the Board shares ownership of the club’s mistakes.

It is even more important for directors to make sure mistakes are not repeated.

Our three Board values are collaboration, unity and always acting in the best interests of the club.

In my 14 years on the Board, there has never been an issue that has come to a vote.

All issues have been debated, sometimes fiercely, but when a consensus is reached, all directors stand by the decision.

Dr Bridie O'Donnell joined the Collingwood board in May 2021. Picture: Tony Gough

That is why the controversy over Bridie O’Donnell is such a storm in a teacup.

She has the right to participate in debates as vigorously as she wishes pending her confirmation at the Annual General Meeting.

It has happened this way many times when Boards have sought to recruit the most suitable people.

Moreover, to place herself above reproach as a high-ranking public servant Bridie sought and received clearance from her department to join Collingwood before doing so.

And yes, of course, the members should get a say on who goes on to the Board.

The fact is they do.

At the end of the season, members can vote on vacancies when three directors face re-election or confirmation.

This opportunity is available at the end of every season.

Collingwood wants to engage with its members, more deeply and often.

We were the first club to introduce annual post-season Member Forums almost eight years ago with directors, executives, coaches and staff.

It is usual for more than 500 members to attend these forums which have fed into many decision-making processes.

Magpies fans show their support during the round one AFL match

This year, we have introduced regular and real time member information sessions online.

In fact, there is one on Wednesday night.

That said, we want to do more and have a range of member-focused initiatives being developed to do this.

Yes we have had deficiencies.

Our window of AFL premiership contention closed abruptly at the end of last year.

The Do Better Report exposed deficiencies at our club and we can do nothing more than apologise and commit to implementing all the recommendations of the report.

I know that Collingwood people care most about on-field performance.

All the Board can offer is the utmost support and resources required to get back on top.

Collingwood has been down before but it has always risen after not too long.

I call on all Collingwood members and supporters to be part of the solution, have a little patience and resist the temptation to support change for change’s sake.

Check the credentials of your Board members and ask yourself whether you really want to send their skills into exile.