Collingwood’s ultimatum to league over Opening Round: All of us or none of us

Collingwood president Jeff Browne has laid down an ultimatum to the AFL over any future Opening Rounds in northern states going forward should the league continue the concept.

Harvey Thomas of the Giants and Isaac Quaynor of the Magpies contest for the ball during the AFL Opening Round in March. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images.

Collingwood president Jeff Browne says the Magpies will only take part in next year’s Opening Round if all 18 clubs are involved in a full-round showcase of the northern states.

The Magpies will pitch their case to the AFL at next week’s CEOs meeting, stressing all clubs must contribute equally towards promoting the code in New South Wales and Queensland to kickstart the 2025 season.

Browne said the Magpies also intended to reaffirm their strong support for maintaining the father-son rule against calls for its abolition, saying it remained a part of the rich fabric of the sport.

“We will speak (to the AFL) about Opening Round; we won’t be going if it is just two clubs going to Sydney,” Browne told the Herald Sun.

“I am all in favour of developing the game in the northern states but (Opening Round) needs to be fairly spread across all the clubs, not just a handful of them.”

Giants fans cheer on during their side’s win over Colingwood in Opening Round. Picture: Phil Hillyard.

Collingwood was one of four Victorian clubs – along with Carlton, Richmond and Melbourne – who travelled north for the inaugural Opening Round in early March.

The Magpies were beaten by Greater Western Sydney in Sydney before having to return to Melbourne to play Sydney six days later.

Craig McRae’s reigning premiers lost their first three games of the season, and while Browne isn’t using Opening Round as an excuse, he said all clubs needed to play in the northern states roadshow, not just a handful.

“We finished the latest (in 2023, having played in the grand final against Brisbane) and we started the earliest in enemy territory,” Browne said.

“It took a bit out of us (last year) … if everyone goes up there and plays the game there, I am happy with that, but we are not going to do like we did (earlier) this year.”

Browne said he could not understand why the AFL would not fixture “a mini Magic Round” to replicate the NRL experience to kickstart next season, with potentially five games in Sydney and four in Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

He said it would have a different feel to Gather Round, which has been so successful in two different versions in Adelaide, but would be great in terms of promotion of the code.

“We would be fully supportive (of a full round),” he said. “We would build lunches around the game and work on the whole build up,” he said. “It would be like a mini Magic Round.

“Half the teams could go to Brisbane and half the teams could go to Sydney.

“It neutralises disadvantage but also pumps up the development of those markets. We are fully supportive of that. We want to go there, but we want to make sure it is fair for everyone.”

Browne said he could not understand why some clubs, including St Kilda, were intent on changing the fabric of the father-son rule.

The Magpies have three current father sons in the team, including Nick and Josh Daicos and skipper Darcy Moore.

“I am passionate about it,” Browne said of the father-son traditions.

“The father-son rule is one of the great traditions of the game. People love the history and the tradition of the rule. It is fundamental to the success of our game.

“I’ve told (the AFL) don’t tinker with it; it’s not broken.”

Originally published as Collingwood’s ultimatum to league over Opening Round: All of us or none of us