By Sam McClure
Collingwood are in negotiations with their holidaying head of football, Graham Wright, about a new role at the club, as the respected administrator seeks a new challenge.
This masthead can also reveal that Wright, one of the key architects of the Magpies’ 2023 premiership, offered his resignation in December last year.
Graham Wright with Collingwood CEO and 1990 premiership teammate Craig Kelly in February 2023.Credit: Penny Stephens
That resignation was not accepted by president Jeff Browne, who came up with the plan for Wright and his wife to travel to New York and Europe on extended leave while Wright stayed connected with the club in a consultancy role during his absence.
Two senior Collingwood sources, who weren’t willing to speak publicly due to the sensitive nature of the topic, said it was likely that the club would restructure the football department at the end of this season as they attempt to keep Wright.
At the time of publication, Collingwood had declined to comment on the record.
Wright could not be reached for comment.
Collingwood coach Craig McRae (second from right) last year with his brains trust of (from left) Hayden Skipworth, Brendon Bolton and Justin Leppitsch.Credit: AFL Photos
He is due back in Melbourne at the end of August, by which time Collingwood hope they will have solidified their position inside the top eight.
The Magpies sit 12th on the ladder heading into round 19 and are likely to need to win four of their last six matches to revive any hope of back-to-back flags.
Senior Collingwood insiders are adamant that the team’s decline in form is in no way linked to Wright’s absence.
But no one can quantify its impact on the inner workings of the club’s football department.
Wright’s sabbatical has meant that assistant coaches Justin Leppitsch and Brendon Bolton have had increased workloads, while senior coach Craig McRae has also picked up some slack.
Chief executive Craig Kelly has been doing work in the football department, beyond his regular remit.
Some of the restructuring has already begun, with Wright’s right-hand woman, Clare Pettyfor, switching roles and returning to the Demons earlier this year.
Pettyfor previously worked at Melbourne in a media and communications role.
Wright has made it clear privately that he wants to explore career opportunities beyond being a list manager – which he made himself famous for at Hawthorn – and a head of football.
Three senior football sources told The Scoop that Wright was interested in being a club chief executive, and had been interested in the role at new AFL club the Tasmania Devils before it was filled by Richmond boss Brendon Gale.
The club announced Wright’s sabbatical just before Christmas last year.
“Having extended leave and spending some time travelling overseas during our winter has been on the cards for me for a few years, and now is the right time for my wife and I to do that,” Wright said in a statement.
“It has been a great few seasons at Collingwood so far and to reach the ultimate success with our men’s program this year is a real credit to everyone involved at our club.
“Through my discussions with Jeff [Browne], Ned [Kelly] and Fly [McRae], we agreed that I will stay connected to the club in a consultancy role providing advice to the CEO and wider club during my time away with a plan to return to full-time work in September.”
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