Jeff Browne to step down as Collingwood president at end of 2024 as replacement sounded out

Collingwood president Jeff Browne will depart the club at the end of the year, with the club already sounding out its replacement. GLENN MCFARLANE has the details.

Jeff Browne will step down as Collingwood president and won’t seek re-election at the end of the year, saying he is confident the Magpies are set up for sustained future success.

Browne told staff members on Wednesday morning of his decision, stressing that it was with “mixed feelings” that he had made the decision.

Having overseen Collingwood’s 16th VFL-AFL premiership last year, and taking the club to a record membership this year, Browne urged the club to continue to be “bold and evolve, blending the art and increasing proportion of science in football, to climb to the top of the mountain and relish in and maintain the view from there.”

He told members: “It is with mixed feelings that I announce I will complete my three-year term as President of the Collingwood Football Club and will not seek re-election at the upcoming AGM to be held on December 16 this year.”

Jeff Browne speaks at the Pies’ season launch earlier in 2024. Picture: Jason McCawley/AFL Photos/via Getty Images.

“Over the past few years, we have done an extraordinary amount of work together at Collingwood, and I am grateful to have been able to play a role in our club’s achievements on and off the field.”

“Our club is in a very strong position, and the focus of all at Collingwood remains steadfast on continuous improvement as we build towards our next AFL Premiership and our first-ever AFLW Premiership.”

Browne went public with his battle against myeloma, a type of blood cancer, shortly after the 2023 premiership. But he stressed he was in remission and healthy, but needed to ensure he looked after himself, which is one of the reasons for his departure.

“I do want to assure you I am healthy and in remission from my cancer diagnosis last year, but as you would understand, the demands of being President are significant and carry a heavy responsibility and workload,” Browne said.

“I do need some more time to devote to maintaining my health and I am confident that the next President will bring their own style and lead the club admirably and with great distinction.”

The Herald Sun understands the Collingwood board has asked Barry Carp, who came on the board when Browne joined the club in late 2021, to be the next president.

Renee Roberts and Barry Carp. Carp is being sought to take over Jeff Browne’s role. Picture: Michael Klein.

Browne said he was proud of so many things that have happened at the club in the past three years.

“I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved together during my time as President and the memories we have created over the past three years will live on forever,” he said.

“Some highlights for me over the past three years include the talent we have bought into and those we have developed within our club, the winning culture we have created, the completion of our industry-leading $15 million redevelopment of our facilities, establishing stronger working relationships with the AFL and other clubs and playing a key role in leading initiatives relating to concussion to make our game safer for our players … and of course, our magnificent Premiership victory in 2023,” he said.

“As a club, we have been able to implement all 18 recommendations of the Do Better report and I am so pleased with our efforts in our Magpie Nest and community housing programs. I know our Club will continue to ensure that serving the community remains a fundamental part of our DNA as we strive for more Premiership success on the field.”

He said he wanted to thank the Magpie Army for their support.

“Your loyalty sees our Club continue to break records for attendances and memberships year-on-year,” he said. “It was a promise I made on my election that we achieve 100,000 members for the first time in our history and your incredible support has seen us well surpass that.

“Our Club’s off-field success has reflected our on-field aspirations, and I know that we have set the foundation for sustained success on all fronts.”

Originally published as Jeff Browne to step down as Collingwood president at end of 2024 as replacement sounded out