Collingwood Magpies embroiled in fresh Covid-19 turmoil

Collingwood Magpies players and staff have been forced into isolation following a COVID-19 scare at their headquarters

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 22: Chris Mayne of the Magpies (C) shows his emotions as he leaves the field after his last game following the round 23 AFL match between Essendon Bombers and Collingwood Magpies at Melbourne Cricket Ground on August 22, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Collingwood Magpies players and staff have been forced into isolation following a COVID-19 scare at their headquarters in Melbourne.

As first reported by 7News, club officials were notified on Tuesday morning that a Holden Centre visitor had tested positive to the deadly virus.

The venue subsequently had to be closed for a deep clean, while all players and staff who had been at the club since Thursday were immediately sent for testing.

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In a statement, the club confirmed a Collingwood employee had tested positive.

“A Collingwood employee who has been at the Holden Centre in recent days has returned a positive COVID test result,” the statement said.

“As a precaution, the Holden Centre has been closed and all players and staff who have accessed the complex since last Thursday have been asked to get tested immediately and isolate until receiving a negative result.

“The club is awaiting advice from DHHS as to what, if any, further action may be required.”

Although Collingwood’s footballers and netballers are currently on leave, several players reportedly attended the venue this week to use the gym facilities.

The Magpies finished 17th on the AFL ladder and missed the 2021 finals series having registered just six wins in this season.

The Magpies finished 17th on the 2021 AFL ladder. Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Triple-premiership player Craig McRae was officially unveiled as the new Collingwood coach on Wednesday, replacing the departing Nathan Buckley.

The surroundings of Collingwood aren’t exactly foreign to McRae, having spent five years as the club’s head of development.

The 47-year-old’s previous experience with the Pies will no doubt give him an insight into just what the passionate fanbase of the club expect to see on the field, and McRae plans on delivering exactly that.

Meanwhile, Collingwood president Mark Korda will see out the remainder of his elected term and step down at the end of the 2022 season.

Korda, who took the reins from Eddie McGuire in February, announced his decision in a letter to the club’s members on Thursday evening.

In the first year of his tenure, Korda helped chart the course out of the Buckley era and also worked to minimise the Covid-19 pandemic’s financial impact on the club.

Korda also helped to implement the club’s Do Better Report, which he said remains “a key focus” in the aftermath of the 2021 season.

– with Alex Conrad & Jasper Bruce, NCA NewsWire

Originally published as Collingwood Magpies embroiled in fresh Covid-19 turmoil