Collingwood board: Members to vote for more than first time in 20 years on positions

Huge changes are coming at Collingwood and there will be some big-name casualties. But at least a few current board members will survive the carnage. 

Collingwood will hold its first contested election for board positions in more than two decades after 11 candidates nominated for the club’s four available director spots.

Raging presidential favourite Jeff Browne and his three running mates– ex-Australia Post boss Christine Holgate, River Capital managing director Barry Carp and APRA executive Renee Roberts - have also nominated.

Current Magpies president Mark Korda is keen to remain on the club’s board next year to see out his full term, while Collingwood board members Jodie Sizer and Paul Licuria are not up for re-election.

Magpies directors Christine Holgate and Neil Wilson are seeking re-election, while influential board member Peter Murphy will step away.Questions over Wilson’s eligibility to serve on the Collingwood board surfaced after he was seconded onto the Magpies’ committee earlier this year.

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Former Channel 9 boss Jeff Browne is the raging presidential favourite.

Former Victoria racing integrity commissioner Sal Perna has also nominated.Amanda Cameron, Sean Callanan, Colin Moorhead, Mark Febbraio and Christopher MacDonald are the others seeking election.

In his pitch, Browne said his ticket was ready to lead the Magpies.

“Winning is important,” Browne said.

“I seek excellence for our club in every way.

“I believe this (my) background can bring to our club not only winning business strategies and good governance, but also a deep understanding of the AFL system and sports culture generally.

“I strongly encourage the election of Renee Roberts, Barry Carp and Christine Holgate who, together with myself and the other continuing board members, provide the right mix of passion, skills and diversity necessary to maximise our prospects for success.” 

The 11 nominees are set to be voted on by eligible members from November 19, with results to be announced at the club’s AGM on December 16.

WHAT PIES WILL LOOK LIKE WHEN BOARD STOUSH ENDS 

Collingwood has agreed to a breakthrough peace deal that clears the way for businessman Jeff Browne to become president after the club’s annual general meeting in December.

In an arrangement that ends a bitter, months-long board dispute, Browne will bring two new directors to the club – Barry Carp, the founder of venture capital firm River Capital, and financial regulator Renee Roberts.

The cease fire – thrashed out over the weekend – will see former Collingwood solicitor Francis Galbally abandon his push for a full spill of the board and an open club election.

It is expected current Pies president Mark Korda will stand down as a director prior to the December 16 AGM.

Paul Licuria and Jodie Sizer will remain on the board, while current directors Peter Murphy and Christine Holgate as well as Browne, Carp and Roberts will stand for election at the AGM.

Mark Korda is expected to stand down as Collingwood president and as a club director before the Annual General meeting in December.

The revamped seven-person board will then convene to vote on a new president where Browne will have the numbers to win the club’s top job.

Browne said in a statement on Monday afternoon: “Following the recent statement from the Collingwood Football Club welcoming the nominations of Renee Roberts, Barry Carp and myself for the upcoming election of four directors and following further discussions over the weekend, I encourage members eligible to vote, to cast their votes in favour of Renee, Barry and myself at the postal ballot to be held in advance of the club’s annual general meeting on December 16 and in accordance with the arrangements announced by the club, as the preferred way forward to ensure the club’s future success and journey of renewal.

“An election for a new president of Collingwood will be held immediately following the AGM and I confirm that if elected to the board, I will offer myself as a candidate for the presidency.

Collingwood board directors Jodie Sizer and Peter Murphy front the media in February after the release of the club’s ‘Do Better’ report.

“I have spoken with Francis Galbally and asked him to support this process in lieu of proceeding with the petition to spill the whole board and Francis has agreed to this more orderly process and he will seek to withdraw the petition.”

Galbally told the Herald Sun: “I have always said that Jeff is the appropriate person to be president – and if Jeff is satisfied that that will be the case after the AGM, then I will abide by his judgment.

“I’m pleased we have finally been able to resolve this matter peacefully and that all of us can now get behind the club and make it, once again, a great standard bearer of the AFL, and of course, win premierships.”

Former professional cyclist Bridie O’Donnell quit the Collingwood board last month, while Victoria Racing Club chairman Neil Wilson appears to be a casualty.

Wilson was drafted on to the board in April but it later emerged he was not eligible to be a director because he had not been a voting club member for the required two years.

O’Donnell was also ineligible to serve as director.

Former Magpies star Paul Licuria is expected to continue in his role as a director at the club into next season.

Browne, the chairman of investment bank MA Financial Group, was the AFL’s external lawyer for more than two decades.

Long-time club president Eddie McGuire resigned in February in the wake of the release of the ‘Do Better’ report into allegations of systemic racism at Collingwood, triggering a drawn-out fight for control of the club.

The Korda-led board fought actively to thwart a Browne takeover but came to the realisation in recent weeks that his campaign for change, heavily supported by Galbally, could not be stopped.

Galbally lodged papers for a full spill of the board last Thursday in the belief that time under corporations law was running out.

Murphy had accused Galbally of attempting to “destabilise” the club because of “personal ambition” but Galbally insisted he had nothing personal to gain and was motivated only by a desire to ensure Collingwood again became a properly governed and successful football club.

In June, the Collingwood board released a joint statement against Browne vowing to “stand against coups driven by personal ambition”.

Browne argued he believed the club was in need of fresh and more effective leadership.

Browne was managing director of the Nine network from 2006-2013 and remains well connected at league headquarters.

Originally published as Collingwood board: Members to vote for more than first time in 20 years on positions