By Peter Ryan and Jake Niall
Collingwood look set for a protracted power battle after the Magpies’ board, led by president Mark Korda, refused to hand over power to AFL identity Jeff Browne in a move that could lead to positions on the board being contested at an extraordinary general meeting.
Browne had declared his desire to become Magpies’ president via a handover from Korda, with Browne wanting three of his own people to join three current members to form a new board with him as president.
The Collingwood board has unanimously rejected Jeff Browne’s presidency bid.Credit: Getty Images
In a statement, the board unanimously rejected Browne’s call, saying the coup was being driven by personal ambition and they would remain united.
“Not one, let alone four, of the current board is prepared to step aside to allow a boardroom coup as proposed by Jeff Browne to proceed,” the statement from Collingwood’s seven board members read.
“A coup is not warranted, it has not been justified and cannot be justified. Nor is it in step with good governance or the will of members to agree to the demands of an individual member wanting only to be president.
Paul Tuddenham in his playing days.Credit: The Age
“In any case, there is no vision, no ticket, no compelling strategy for you to consider or for us to step aside for. How could any board entertain a request to step aside without first knowing these things?
“Notwithstanding this position we are available to meet Jeff to establish whether, in the best interests of the club, a divisive and distracting campaign can be avoided.”
The board’s preparedness to meet Browne is driven by its desire to avoid an EGM, which could be called after member David Hatley gathered enough signatures to request a spill. The president Korda and former player and board member Paul Licuria have already spoken with Browne in separate meetings.
Sources familiar with the two camps’ positions said Licuria was one of the three directors Browne would have wished to retain, in the event of a compromise with the board.
Hatley, who was awaiting the Korda board’s response to Browne before making his next move, said the board’s rejection of Browne’s offer meant he and his group would press ahead with an EGM and spill. “We’ll just keep going ahead with a spill.”
Meanwhile former Collingwood player Paul Tuddenham has thrown his support behind Browne’s bid for the Magpies’ presidency, although he says his endorsement is a personal one rather than one made in his role as current president of the club’s past players’ association.
Tuddenham told The Age he had not been asked to be part of Browne’s ticket to take control of the board but indicated he would be open to considering an approach to be part of the club’s board under the right circumstances, but it would depend on its make-up and the role.
Tuddenham, who played 40 games with Collingwood between 1987 and 1991, said he had not arrived at his personal position overnight, but after reflecting on what was best for the club and after conversations with former teammate Craig Kelly, who is also the manager of current Magpies coach Nathan Buckley.
“Paul Tuddenham, the individual, does support Jeff Browne as the president,” Tuddenham said.
“I respect Craig Kelly’s view immensely when it comes to football-related matters. He and I have discussed this issue and we are aligned in that view that Browne will be able to make a significant contribution to the club and there is an opportunity now for a refresh and to introduce some new personnel and new ideas, and address some of the issues that currently exist.”
Tuddenham’s family is steeped in Magpies tradition, with his father Des a former captain and one of the club’s greatest ever players.
Browne has said he wants to meet with Korda to negotiate a takeover to form a new board but was prepared to put himself forward as a candidate at an extraordinary general meeting if a handover could not be negotiated.
Apart from Tuddenham and Kelly, his candidacy has also been endorsed by former Magpie Peter Moore, who, like Kelly, has a son playing for the Magpies.
Korda only became president in May after Eddie McGuire’s 23-year reign ended in February following the release of the Do Better report. Korda joined the club’s board in 2007 while current board members Licuria, Peter Murphy, Christine Holgate, Jodie Sizer, Neil Wilson and Dr Bridie O’Donnell have all joined the board since 2018.
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