President Jeff Browne to step down as former football boss joins Carlton

The biggest club in the AFL needs a new president as one of the key men in their 2023 premiership made a move to their long-time rivals.

Collingwood president Jeff Browne declared the Magpies were in a “strong position” as he confirmed his intention to step down from the role in December as it emerged former football boss Graham Wright would be the next chief executive of arch rivals Carlton.

Browne had previously signalled his intention to relinquish the presidency when the “time is right” and, despite chief executive Craig Kelly being embroiled in an unfair dismissal claim by a former club employee, on Wednesday told members that time was now.

The 72-year-old said he was “healthy and in remission” after being diagnosed with cancer in 2023 but needed “more time to devote to maintaining my health”.

“It is with mixed feelings that I announce I will complete my three-year term as president of the Collingwood Football Club and will not seek re-election at the upcoming AGM to be held on December 16 this year,” Browne said in a letter to members.

“Over the past few years, we have done an extraordinary amount of work together at Collingwood, and I am grateful to have been able to play a role in our club’s achievements on and off the field.

Jeff Browne has today announced he will complete his three-year term as President of our Club and will not seek re-election at the upcoming AGM to be held on December 16 this year.

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— Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) October 8, 2024

“Our club is in a very strong position, and the focus of all at Collingwood remains steadfast on continuous improvement as we build towards our next AFL premiership and our first-ever AFLW Premiership.

“I do want to assure you I am healthy and in remission from my cancer diagnosis last year, but as you would understand, the demands of being president are significant and carry a heavy responsibility and workload.

“I do need some more time to devote to maintaining my health and I am confident that the next president will bring their own style and lead the club admirably and with great distinction.”

Browne officially became the club’s president at the end of 2021, taking over from interim president Mark Korda, who stepped into the role after Eddie McGuire’s exit at the start of the year.

Outgoing Collingwood president Jeff Browne (right) with chief executive Craig Kelly at Gather Round earlier this year. Picture: Dylan Burns / Getty Images

Collingwood missed the finals in 2024 after tasting premiership success in 2023.

“I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved together during my time as president and the memories we have created over the past three years will live on forever,” Browne said.
“My wish for Collingwood is that it continues to be bold and evolve, blending the art and increasing proportion of science in football to climb to the top of the mountain and relish in and maintain the view from there.”

Wright, who quit the Magpies after taking a lengthy break, is set to become Brian Cook’s successor as chief executive at Carlton.

Former Australia Post chief executive Christine Holgate joined Browne in announcing she would step off Collingwood’s board after one term, with Barry Carp and Renee Roberts to seek re-election.

The Magpies board backed “lifelong and passionate Collingwood supporters” Gaye Morris and Dan Rosen to fill the two vacant positions.

Morris has led human resources departments in several banking and finance firms and is currently strategic client partner at Mercer.

Rosen has a music background and is president of Warner Music Australiasia after previously being ARIA chief executive.

Originally published as President Jeff Browne to step down as former football boss joins Carlton