The Collingwood football club has “categorically dend” suggestions from AFL great Brendan Fevola that chief executive Craig Kelly has secretly departed the Magpies. Fevola made the bombshell claim during a radio segment on Thursday that Kelly had left his role at Collingwood and that “no one knows yet”.
Collingwood’s CEO is at the centre of an ongoing court case after being accused of physical assault and using a number of racial slurs by an ex-club staffer. Former Collingwood head of First Nations strategy Mark Cleaver lodged the allegations against Kelly in the Federal circuit and family court of Australia, with the matter set to be heard on August 27.
Magpies president Jeff Browne has strongly denied the allegations against Kelly and the club has vowed to defend the CEO. But Fevola made the staggering claim on Thursday that Kelly and the Magpies had parted ways “a couple of weeks ago” and that Collingwood were hoping to keep the news “in-house” until their season is over.
“I had a coffee with someone yesterday and they’re a part of the biggest clubs in the AFL and they dropped a little bomb on my table,” Fevola said on The Fox’s Fifi, Fev & Nick on Thursday. “Craig Kelly is the CEO (of Collingwood). He has departed the footy club. No one knows yet…
“I think they were trying to hold off until the end of the year, which is (likely) Friday night as their last game. He won’t be at the footy club next year. Gone. That’s a DM… it’s a rumour… that is true. It will be announced probably next week. This happened a couple of weeks ago and they’ve kept it in-house.”
While the Magpies have not officially come out to address the speculation around the club CEO, Herald Sun journalist Glenn McFarlane says Collingwood have vehemently denied suggestions Kelly has left the club. Speaking on Fox Footy’s Midweek Tackle, McFarlane said Kelly was seen at the club this week as he looks to help shape the club’s football department, following the departure of ex-footy boss Graham Wright.
“All I can say is Collingwood do not know where the rumour started and said it’s not true, they were very strong on that today,” McFarlane said on Thursday night’s program. It comes after former Collingwood footy boss Wright officially departed the club before round 24, following a five-month overseas sabbatical in the United States and Europe.
The 56-year-old wanted a break and actually offered his resignation to the club, but it was instead decided that Wright would take a year off and come back refreshed. His departure comes after Wright helped mastermind Collingwood’s premiership triumph last year following 35-straight years involved in the AFL – first as a player, then in various off-field roles.
The rumours about Kelly’s departure come as Collingwood finds itself embroiled in another racism controversy, following the 2021 publication of the Do Better report aimed at addressing findings of systemic racism at the club. Magpies president Browne said last month that the club “totally and absolutely” backed CEO Kelly in the wake of the serious allegations filed against him in court.
“From my experience, he’s doing an outstanding job as a CEO of this football club,” Browne said. He has the full support of the board and my full support.” And the Magpies president insisted that his club was not racist and that it had brought in numerous measures to address the findings from the Do Better report.
“We implemented all 18 recommendations from the Do Better report,” Browne said. “We are the only club that opened ourselves up for external investigation. When I came in as president I committed to prosecuting and implementing all of those 18 recommendations.
“Racism and discrimination is a fight that goes on day by day. It never ends. It’s something we’re very conscious of here. But the culture in this place as a result of adopting the recommendations from the Do Better report is vastly improved. It’s a culture where people feel safe, people of diverse backgrounds feel safe and they feel safe to make complaints if they choose.”
Tom Trbojevic ‘will be right’ for NRL finals as Manly rocked by brutal double injury blow
Manly have revealed Tom Trbojevic suffered a Grade 3 AC joint injury but are confident he will be able to play through the pain in the first week of the NRL finals. Trbojevic hurt his shoulder in the Sea Eagles’ win over the Bulldogs on Friday night, while winger Jason Saab went down with a syndesmosis ankle injury.
Speaking after the game, Manly coach Anthony Seibold said Trbojevic “will be right” for the opening week of the finals, easing concerns of Sea Eagles fans. The 27-year-old underwent scans on Saturday, which showed no immediate surgery is required.
However the scans revealed a Grade 3 injury, which indicates a complete tear of the AC joint ligaments. Under normal circumstances, Trbojevic would be expected to miss multiple weeks, but he’ll likely play with the aid of pain-killing injections during the finals.
Seibold said the superstar fullback won’t play next week against Cronulla, but should be able to suit up in a fortnight’s time for the playoffs. “It’s an AC joint injury, and with pain management you can needle them up and play, which I am sure he will do,” Seibold said.
“We’ll put a plan together for him and make sure we look after him. And all going well he will be right to go again. The good thing is those types of injuries aren’t season-ending. There is some pain there, and he will be a bit sore and sorry for the next few days. But he will be right to go for week one.”
As for Saab, the prognosis isn’t as good. The giant winger suffered a syndesmosis injury in a hip-drop tackle and appears to be facing a lengthy stint on the sidelines. According to ‘NRL Physio’ Brien Seeney, Saab could be looking at six weeks out depending on the severity of the issue.
With one game remaining until the finals and Manly forced to play elimination games because they won’t finish in the top-four, it could be season-ending for Saab. And with Trbojevic not at 100 per cent, the Sea Eagles’ premiership hopes have taken a huge hit.
Manly breath sigh of relief after Luke Brooks escapes ban
The Sea Eagles have Tolu Koula or Lehi Hopoate to slot in at fullback against Cronulla next Sunday, while Clayton Faulalo or Ben Trbojevic could also come into the backline to replace Saab. And Manly were also facing concerns over Luke Brooks, who was placed on report for a dangerous throw in the second half against the Bulldogs and would have faced a two-game ban if handed a grade-two charge
The five-eighth was superb as the Sea Eagles stunned the Bulldogs 34-22, setting up two tries and forcing a one-on-one strip in the lead-up to another. But there were concerns he might miss the first week of the playoffs if the match review committee came down hard on him, which would add to the playmaker’s 11-year wait to play finals footy. Thankfully for the Sea Eagles he escaped a ban on Saturday morning.
“He’s playing good footy, there is no doubt about that,” halfback Daly Cherry-Evans said of Brooks post-game. “It’s great to see him grow in confidence. I think it’s only natural when you go to a new club it takes you a while to find your feet.
“He didn’t take long, but as the year has gone on he has felt more and more comfortable. He is just taking games on. He gets to play finals footy this year, and I am really happy about that.”
Athletics world in frenzy as Aussie sensation Gout Gout betters Usain Bolt with ‘insane’ feat
Aussie sensation Gout Gout has produced a remarkable comeback to claim silver in the 200m final at the world junior athletics championships in Lima. The 16-year-old, who was born in South Sudan, has become an internet sensation in recent weeks, with videos of his exploits going viral online.
And the teenager has taken his talents to the global stage at the world junior athletics championships this week. After storming into the 200m final with a sensational time, Gout missed the start in Friday’s medal race (Saturday Australian time).
However he powered to the finish line to claim the silver medal after appearing long-odds at the halfway stage. Gout’s time of 20.60 bettered the mark Usain Bolt set in the same race 22 years ago. Bayanda Walaza of South Africa ran a 20.54 to win the gold, but is nearly two years older than Gout.
Gout’s time was a personal best and 0.01 seconds faster than what Bolt produced to win the world junior championships in 2002 at the same age. However the Jamaican superstar had run a 20.58 in the opening rounds and also produced a 20.13 while still 16.
Nevertheless, the athletics world was blown away by Gout’s run on Friday night. Reporter Mark Gottlieb wrote on social media: “16-year-old Aussie teen track sensation Gout Gout just ran a 20.60 200m in the under 20s World Championships. The winner Bayanda Walaza ran 20.54 but is 22 months older. This kid is going to be a superstar.”
Another pundit wrote: “Gout Gout gonna be one to watch. Australia has another sprinter on their hands, maybe we’ll see him in 28 and 32 (Olympics).” While a third commented: “Just remember the name Gout Gout. Missed the start. 16 yo. Wait until he finds the weights room as well as a couple more years of competition. Wowee.”
