In summary, Collingwood football manager Graham Wright will take a sabbatical during the 2024 home-and-away season.
Wright was one of the masterminds behind Collingwood’s 2023 premiership.
What happens next?
Collingwood is poised to become the third incumbent premier in four seasons to miss the playoffs, entering the final round with only a mathematical chance of finishing inside the top eight.
Collingwood football manager Graham Wright has resigned, opting not to return after the Magpies granted him an international sabbatical this year.
Wright has been visiting the United States and Europe with his wife Tracey since March.
The 56-year-old, who was a key figure in Collingwood’s grand success last year, sought a break after 35 years in the AFL, first as a player and then in various off-field positions.
The Magpies were adamant that Wright would return to his position invigorated. However, he leaves the club after being on leave for the full home and away season.
“We have been in constant discussions with Graham during his sabbatical and both of us have agreed that Graham be free to pursue new opportunities to further develop his already distinguished career,” said Jeff Browne, the president of the Magpies.
“All of us at Collingwood wish Graham, his wife Tracey and children James and Ethan all the best and every success for the next chapter.”
Wright, a 1990 Magpies premiership player, spent a significant amount of time at Hawthorn under Alastair Clarkson before to Collingwood in 2021.
Collingwood chief executive Craig Kelly maintained the club intended to “normalise this type of leave for our key people” when the Magpies announced Wright’s sabbatical last December.
During Wright’s absence, assistant coach Brendon Bolton took on the most of the responsibility.
Collingwood is poised to become the third incumbent premier in four seasons to miss the playoffs, entering the final round with only a mathematical chance of finishing inside the top eight.
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