Eddie McGuire makes return to Collingwood after four years in the wilderness

Eddie McGuire placed himself in self-imposed exile after stepping down from Collingwood’s presidency four years ago, but last week made an emotional return to the club. Jay Clark has the details.

Former Collingwood president Eddie McGuire has made an emotional return to the Magpies four years after he stepped down.

For the first time since 2021, McGuire attended the club’s president’s function and went back to Collingwood’s changerooms to celebrate the round four 17-point victory over Carlton at the MCG.

It was a significant and teary moment for the man who helped restore the club as an on and off-field powerhouse throughout his 23-year reign as president.

McGuire stood down as president in controversial circumstances amid the ‘Do Better’ report which was critical of the club’s handling and treatment of First Nations players and issues.

While McGuire has maintained his strong public support for the club since then, he remained away from the inner sanctum out of respect during Jeff Browne’s time as president.

McGuire’s exit from the club was a difficult time for the 60-year-old considering his lifetime love and dedication to Collingwood.

Eddie and Carla McGuire during the AFL Gather Round Welcome Dinner at Penfold's Magill Estate. Picture: Mark Brake/AFL Photos.

But a changeover to Barry Carp has coincided with McGuire’s return to the club where he and his wife Carla were warmly embraced 11 days ago by players, their families, staff, directors and coaches including premiership senior coach Craig McRae.

Collingwood’s top brass has made it clear McGuire, who was the club’s second-longest serving president, and his family are welcome inside the club anytime.

Chief executive Craig Kelly said McGuire had been an incredible servant.

“What Eddie and Jeff were really good about was they wanted the next president to have some clear air,” Kelly told the Herald Sun.

“But we wanted to celebrate Eddie and it worked out well with the Carlton game and also Barry’s first year in the job.

“Importantly we also wanted to acknowledge Carla’s amazing work supporting Ed and the boys because a lot of times the wives and women in our lives don’t get the recognition they deserve.

Collingwood President Eddie McGuire leaves Collingwood. Eddie and his family enter the press conference. Picture: Alex Coppel.

“Eddie has been a dear friend of ours for many years and we all have our ups and downs and would like to do things differently at times.

“He’s no different but our industry is one which demands a lot, you get criticised a lot and publicly you can get ripped apart.

“But like ‘Fly’ has done with our players, we need to recognise our past and that includes our board members, CEOs and our executive.

“And the presidents don’t get paid, so you just want to say thank you, and that’s what we’ve done.

“We are one club and we want to stay one club.”

McGuire said he was honoured by the reception.

“It was a wonderful day and Carla and I were taken aback by the level of love from the club and everyone,” McGuire said.

“I wanted to have a gap so the transition took place but four presidents later it was probably time to come back.

“I felt very welcome and loved every moment - and not that I ever left it in my heart but it was nice to physically be back again.”

Browne, who handed over the presidency to Carp late last year, will also be recognised in a similar way, along with former CEO’s Mark Anderson and Gary Pert.

The Magpies regard McGuire as one of the club’s most important off-field figures in club history, having orchestrated the deals to land premiership coach Michael Malthouse, the succession plan to Nathan Buckley, and secure and develop its Olympic Park headquarters.

His commercial deals and sponsorship pulling power also helped the Magpies become one of the most financially powerful clubs in the league.

McGuire and his wife were among 280 of the AFL’s top powerbrokers and special guests at the plush Gather Round launch event at Penfolds winery on Wednesday night.

The former Collingwood president and Channel 9 chief executive has been touted as a potential future AFL Commissioner as chairman Richard Goyder looks for his successor beyond his current term.

Originally published as Eddie McGuire makes return to Collingwood after four years in the wilderness