Collingwood’s Craig Kelly hits back at rival AFL bosses over MCG seat stoush

Collingwood boss Craig Kelly has hit back at rival clubs demanding Pies members lose seats at the MCG, declaring the club will remain “aggressive” in its negotiations.

Collingwood president Jeff Browne and CEO Craig Kelly. Pic: Michael Klein

A war of words has erupted between Collingwood and Hawthorn after Magpies CEO Craig Kelly vowed his club would be “aggressive” in its fight to maintain reserved seating at the MCG.

Ahead of Thursday’s practice match between the two sides in Launceston, Kelly hit back at Hawthorn chief executive Justin Reeves who had earlier called for the Pies to lose all of their reserved seating in the Ponsford Stand for away games.

News Corp revealed on Tuesday league chiefs had hatched a peace plan for Collingwood to lose 4000 of the seats when the new deal kicks in for next season.

It would still give Collingwood an extra 11,000 seats in the Ponsford Stand and the use of two corporate hospitality rooms for 2024.

“It’s nice that every other CEO seems to be talking about it,“ Kelly said in clear reference to Reeves.

“I’ll do my talking with my president (Jeff Browne), with the CEO of the MCC.

“We’ll finish the deal, we’ve got to do a new deal. We’re a very important part of the fabric of that stadium.

“We’ve supported that stadium and I’m sure they’ll support us and we’ll get a result that’s fair for us and for the other clubs.

“We do deserve to be quite aggressive about what we want and we will continue to be so for our fans and our supporters.”

Collingwood CEO Craig Kelly with Magpies fans at Launceston's Sports Garden Motel on Thursday. Picture: Jon Tuxworth

Kelly, who was appointed into the role in late January, said there was still plenty to play out before a new deal, which will come into effect for the 2024 season, is completed.

“From my point of view, getting my feet under the desk, it’s been a busy couple of weeks,” he said.

“There’s a lot happening and there’s a lot the AFL needs to work through in regard to making sure there’s a number of clubs in the competition that are profitable and there’s quite a few that aren’t.

“There’s five or so (clubs) that need to actually contribute and actually make sure worst case scenario they’re breaking even.”