‘Gone’: Claim embattled Pies CEO has quietly quit

Brendan Fevola has revealed he’s heard whispers that Collingwood has quietly axed CEO Craig Kelly.
Fevola declared he had received word that Kelly left the club “a couple of weeks ago”.
The club was reportedly preparing to announce Kelly’s exit after their 2024 campaign drew to a close.
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If follows Kelly becoming embroiled in racism allegations recently, with the Pies declaring in July that they would defend the boss.
Kelly is alleged to have made racial slurs and has also been accused of physical assault, with a claim lodged by former Collingwood head of First Nations strategy Mark Cleaver in the Federal circuit and family court of Australia.
Scott Pendlebury of the Magpies and CEO Craig Kelly celebrate during the 2023 AFL Preliminary Final. AFL Photos via Getty Images
It comes after the 2023 premiers also parted ways with inactive footy boss Graham Wright in August, following his five-month sabbatical, as was originally intended.
9News Melbourne revealed earlier in 2024 that Wright had offered his resignation last December, but it was not accepted by club president Jeff Browne.
Brown then reportedly permitted Wright and his family to travel to the US and Europe on extended leave while a new role was negotiated.
At the time, it was intended that Wright would return for the 2024 finals series.
However, Wright confirmed his exit just before round 24.
Now, Fevola is convinced Kelly is the next to go.
“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.”
Fevola also revealed that the Pies were attempting to keep the news “in-house”, with plans to let the broader club and footballing community know post-season.
“I think they were trying to hold off until the end of the year, which is Friday night as their last game,” he said.
Brendan Fevola. The Fox’s Fifi, Fev & Nick
“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.”
The Herald Sun said a Pies spokesperson has denied the rumour that Kelly has parted ways with the club, with the CEO also spotted at the club’s training base on Thursday morning.
The Pies will likely finish in 10th, with their finals chances very unlikely due to their percentage.